After an distinctive begin to his Nationwide Hunt flat-racing profession, wherein he gained his first 4 races by a mixed margin of greater than 24 lengths, Facile Vega made his extremely anticipated jumps racing debut earlier this month.
There was loads of hype surrounding the five-year-old, together with his aforementioned performances on the flat circuit not the one motive. He’s the son of six-time Cheltenham Competition heroine Quevaga – and there are lots of followers and pundits alike who consider Facile Vega has the potential to expertise comparable success to that of his mom.
That opinion seems to be justified – with Facile Vega dominating in his first hurdling outing at Fairyhouse – successful by 14 lengths from the second-placed An Mhi in a Division II fixture. Unsurprisingly, he entered the race because the clear favorite within the horse racing odds, garnering a brief worth of 1/9.
When proceedings started, the Willie Mullins-trained thoroughbred instantly took to the lead. It was one-way visitors from that time onwards, as Facile Vega continued to construct on his ascendency because the two-mile affair progressed. Jockey Paul Townend made his push with three hurdles remaining, earlier than placing the foot down over the ultimate 300 yards to complete first previous the put up comfortably.
Mullins was ecstatic together with his horse’s debut, noting that Facile Vega regarded like a pure within the jumps racing enviornment.
“I used to be very glad how he jumped for a horse first trip and making his personal operating. He hurdled like a handicapper and it was a incredible efficiency,” Mullins mentioned.
“I’m unsure what occurred on the third-last and Paul thought one thing simply caught his eye. He simply gave him a squeeze and he took off up the straight.
“We’ll see how he’s after this and perhaps have a look at Christmas.”
Given his sturdy exhibiting, Facile Vega has opened because the 5/4 favorite to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition in March. He gained’t be with out his fair proportion of competitors nevertheless, with the likes of Jet Powered and Grangeclare West additionally tipped to participate within the two-and-a-half-mile contest.
Let’s check out the 2 aforementioned horses’ kind and the way they may problem Facile Vega come race day.
Jet Powered
After successful his debut in December of final 12 months by a formidable eight lengths at Borris Home, a major period of time handed earlier than we obtained to see Jet Powered run once more. After present process wind surgical procedure, the Nicky Henderson-trained horse had a 348-day break earlier than returning late final month for the Nationwide Hunt Maiden Hurdle at Newbury.
The five-year-old picked up from the place he left off, dominating the 12-strong area to reign supreme by 11 lengths. Jet Powered at present sits at 6/1 to return away with the win at Cheltenham.
Grangeclare West
Undefeated on the time of writing, six-year-old Grangeclare West has been spectacular throughout his three profession wins. After being victorious in his debut at Lingstown, the Willie Mullins-trained thoroughbred continued his wealthy vein of kind with wins at Punchestown and Navan by 9 and 13 lengths respectively.
His noticeable enchancment with every race is a promising signal for Mullins, and if he can show the type of ending velocity at Cheltenham as he did at Punchestown and Navan – he might give his stablemate a run for his cash. At 10/1, he could possibly be good worth for cash.
Originally posted 2022-12-19 19:25:22.