Facile Vega will be the star attraction at Fairyhouse today as he makes his eagerly-awaited hurdling bow in a division of the Kettles Supporting Fingal Ravens Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old son of Walk In The Park and prolific winning mare Quevega went from strength to strength through his bumper campaign last season, unbeaten in four starts – including Grade 1 victories at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Facile Vega scored on debut at Leopardstown last Christmas, followed up in hugely impressive style in a Grade 2 at the same track in February (slamming recent maiden hurdle winners Sandor Clegane and Carnfunnock) and then justified 15/8 favouritism in Cheltenham’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper, when powering up the hill clear of American Mike.
READ MORE: Paul Townend 'very excited' to partner Facile Vega for first time
The Closutton gelding had to work a bit harder to see off stable-companion Redemption Day in the Grade 1 bumper at the Punchestown Festival.
Facile Vega, currently favourite for both the Supreme Novices and Ballymore at Cheltenham 2033, has reportedly been schooling well. And, the most exciting hurdling recruit around this season, should justify long odds-on favouritism and fuel further dreams of big-race glory.
Both divisions of this event should be watched closely, with Henry de Bromhead’s well-regarded Arctic Bresil and the Gordon Elliott pair An Mhi and Smooth Player likely to play supporting roles to Facile Vega in the second division.
The first division looks more competitive but might also go the way of Closutton, with Viva Devito, a Tramore winner, unplaced behind Vega at both Cheltenham and Punchestown, a leading fancy and preferred to Barry Connell’s Good Land.
Meanwhile, runner-up to Hurricane Darwin here last time and successful off an 18lb lower mark at Punchestown in May, the Padraig Roche-trained Marshalled is a sporting Saturday nap in the Fairyhouse Ladies Handicap Chase – in which he’ll be partnered by Aine O’Connor.
Peter O’Hehir's tips for Fairyhouse
11.35.I Am Maximus
12.07.Marshalled (Nap)
12.42.Fan De Blues
1.17.Viva Devito
1.52.Facile Vega
2.27.The Four Sixes
3.02.Flying Scotsman
3.35.Stellar Story
Next Best
11.35.Minella Crooner
12.07.Halsafari
12.42.Cayd Boy
1.17.Kansas City Star
1.52.An Mhi
2.27.Changing The Rules
3.02.Explosive Boy
3.35.Nick Rockett
Double : Marshalled and Facile Vega.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Sil Ver Klass (2.27.)
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