The wait to see 2015 Champion Hurdle hero Faugheen goes on after he was not among the seven declarations for the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Not seen since winning the Irish Champion Hurdle in January, Faugheen was expected to make his seasonal debut in the Morgiana Hurdle a couple of weeks ago but missed that outing with a bruised foot.
The aim now is for the eight-year-old to return at Christmas, with Patrick Mullins, the trainer's assistant and son, saying: "I Imagine we'll be aiming at Christmas with him. We'll just wait until he's really sparkling again.
Faugheen has won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton for the past two seasons, while there is also the option of the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Mullins yard instead relies on the Rich Ricci-owned Vroum Vroum Mag, winner of the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and conqueror of Identity Thief in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle a month later.
Mullins also saddles Shaneshill, who was second in the RSA Chase but has only run over hurdles since, including in America. He was finishing fast behind Snow Falcon in the Lismullen Hurdle on his return to action. Whiteout is another mare to run for Mullins.
Gordon Elliott fields two in Apple's Jade, just touched off by Iriving in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last weekend, and Dedigout.
The former, however, is not a certain runner, according to her trainer.
Elliott said: "She is declared, but we'll see what way the ground is tomorrow."
Monksland reverts to hurdles for Noel Meade, while Triumph Hurdle winner Ivanovich Gorbatov represents Joseph O'Brien and Barry Geraghty.
