Faugheen, the 6-4 favourite, passed the post four and a half lengths in front of Ballyalton, with the winner’s stablemate, Rathvinden, half a length away in third.

Walsh said: “He had a look at the second-last and I upped the revs.

“Willie said all along that there was a lot under the bonnet and he was right.

“He’s a smashing horse.”

Mullins said: “I think he wants fences. He has a disregard for hurdles, he just wants to go.

“Fences might make him respect things more.”

Cole Harden and Creepy had taken the field along until the third-last, where Faugheen was going ominously well with his main market rival Red Sherlock hot on his heels.

Faugheen made a mistake both three out and at the second-last but he flew the final flight and powered up the hill to win as he liked, making it four wins from four over hurdles and giving Mullins and Walsh their third winner of the meeting.

Ballyalton battled on stoutly to claim the runner-up spot ahead of Rathvinden.

Mullins went on: “I think he blew the third-last and then I thought he might come off the bridle, but he didn’t. Ruby let him get back on an even keel and I thought he had every chance then.

“We weren’t sure which race to go for as we had a good one for the two-mile race and a good one for the three-mile, so he just slotted in here really.

“I would imagine he’s a chaser. He wants fences to maybe make him drop the bridle and travel.

“I think a big fence would make him show a bit more respect and come back on his hocks more.”

Asked to compare Faugheen with his Supreme victor Vautour, Mullins added: “Vautour is a different level.”

Winning owner Rich Ricci said: ``He's beautiful, he jumped very well.

“He’s been a very difficult horse to keep right, Willie and the whole team have done a magical job to keep him right.

“He’s great for the future.”

Ian Williams believes runner-up Ballyalton will be even more proficient when he is sent chasing.

The trainer said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. He was clearly beaten by a very good horse.

“You could draw a line through his last run at Cheltenham, and he’s had a nice break since then.

“He’s a chaser, not a hurdler, and we’ll just have to decide whether to go over fences at the end of this campaign or after he’s had a summer break.”

Mullins said of third-placed Rathvinden: “He ran well but missed the break and was never in a position to challenge.

“Paul (Townend, jockey) just said he didn’t think he was at home on the quicker ground."