Facile Vega in cruise control on hurdling debut

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