THE eight-times Grade 1 winner Nichols Canyon - the only horse to beat the mighty Faugheen - suffered a fatal injury when falling at the fifth flight in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Willie Mullins' charge parted company with Paul Townend at the obstacle in front of the stands on the first circuit and was quickly attended to, but was unable to be saved.

The seven-year-old, who carried the colours of Andrea and Graham Wylie, lifted the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March for what proved to be his final success at the top level.

But arguably his greatest triumph was when lowering the colours of his stablemate Faugheen in the 2015 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Nichols Canyon won 12 of his 20 career starts.

Another fatality at Leopardstown on Thursday was Zabana. The Andy Lynch-trained Grade 1 winner was an early casualty in the Christmas Chase won by Road To Riches.

CATCH UP ON ALL THE CHRISTMAS RACING IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND