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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Facile Vega in cruise control on hurdling debut

Sat 3rd Dec 2022, 14:32

Facile Vega and Paul Townend in chargeFacile Vega and Paul Townend in charge
© Photo Healy Racing

Facile Vega maintained his unbeaten record as he sauntered home by 14 lengths on hurdling debut at Fairyhouse.

Willie Mullins' Walk In The Park gelding won all four of his bumpers including a Grade 2 at Leopardstown and the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, in addition to the Grade 1 bumper when signing off for the season at Punchestown in April.

He was making his eagerly-awaited debut over flights in the second divide of the two mile maiden hurdle and Paul Townend kept it very simple as he dictated from the front.

He flicked his way through three out but readily moved clear before the next. Townend was virtually motionless once he cleared the last as he eased home by a whopping 14 lengths for those who played the 1/9 odds.

Willie Mullins, who was saddling a double on the card, said: “I was very happy how he jumped for a horse first time out and making his own running. He hurdled like a handicapper and it was a fantastic performance.

“I’m not sure what happened at the third last and Paul thought something just caught his eye. He just gave him a squeeze and he took off up the straight.

“We’ll see how he is after this and maybe look at Christmas.”

Mullins took race two on the card with Whiskey Lullaby with Jody Townend in the plate.

Paddy Power and Betfair cut Facile Vega from 7/4f to 5/4f for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.