Facile Vega and Paul Townend © Photo Healy Racing
Facile Vega proved too strong for his rivals when stepping up to claim the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on his second outing over timber at Leopardstown this afternoon.
Last season's bumper star went to post a 2/9 shot in the two-miler and went to the front after the first flight when stablemate Il Etait Temps jumped the hurdle slowly.
It proved plain sailing from there for the Willie Mullins-trained gelding.
Paul Townend 's mount got a bit tight to the last but was always in control in the closing stages as he was pushed out to record a four-length win over Il Etait Temps.
Betfair and sponsor's Paddy Power both left the winner unchanged on even-money for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
When asked to give him a mark out of ten Mullins said:- “I'd nearly have to give him 11 ½, I think.
“Plan A obviously went out the window after the first hurdle. Thankfully Il Etait Temps didn't bring him down, Paul said he was very close to it because he absolutely winged the hurdle.
“Then he had no lead and had to go and make his own running. He did it well, he got very free at the first hurdle down the back and took some jump at it. I was delighted to see that but I knew he couldn't keep that up.
“Paul got him back, got him into a slower rhythm and got him jumping better. He said he was still racing in his hands the whole way but he eventually settled for him.
“I think he'll learn an awful lot today. The big crowd and all the buzz before the race itself, all that will be a help for him in the future.”
When asked if he would be better with a lead he added:- “It doesn't really matter, he can lead now and we're not too worried.”
When asked if he would stick to two miles he said:- “I wouldn't be looking for anything else.”
