Facile Vega digs down deep to maintain unbeaten record in Champion Bumper

Despite striking the fear of God into those who steamed in at the short odds, Facile Vega showed that he is as much about grit and determination as he is class and potential by digging down deep to overhaul his stablemate Redemption Day in a gripping Grade 1 Race & Stay Punchestown Champion Bumper.

The finish was far more exciting than the bare result would lead you to believe, with Jody Townend appearing to have Facile Vega’s measure aboard Redemption Day with a furlong to race, but class came to the fore in the closing stages and those who took odds of 8-15 could breath a huge sigh of relief.

“He had to pull it out there,” was how Willie Mullins summed up the performance. “Jody nearly stole it. She just said to me there, 'we didn't beat him, but we frightened the shite out of him.' That was Jody's explanation of what happened. The horse had to dig deep when Jody passed him and that's the sign of a good horse.”

A good horse is putting it mildly. Now unbeaten in four bumpers under the champion amateur Patrick Mullins, in doing so emulating Cousin Vinny, Fayonagh and Champagne Fever by following up on the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham with victory at Punchestown, Facile Vega will head off on his summer holidays with the world at his feet.

Mullins added: “I don't work him hard at home because I thought he was fragile after last year but he's getting stronger. Hopefully he comes home safe and sound after today and he could be a right horse to look forward to over hurdles next season.”

He added: “It's a great story. They didn't sell the mare [Quevega] and put her in foal to Walk In The Park, one of the most expensive national hunt stallions in the country, and they have a fantastic horse.

"There were big offers for this horse and they decided against selling. They are getting their rewards and hopefully he can serve them well for the next few years.”

De Bromhead puts Bob disappointment behind him with Life In The Park

After the disappointment of Bob Olinger on Tuesday, Henry de Bromhead was back on song on Wednesday when he landed the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle courtesy of Life In The Park.

Under a well-judged ride from Mike O'Connor, he brought the son of Walk In The Park to the front at the top of the straight, and although looking like he might fall victim to Jack Foley on Rock Road, the five-year-old rallied after the last to score by a length and three-quarters.

De Bromhead said: "Delighted with that. He was a bit disappointing at Christmas so we put him away and he seemed to appreciate this sort of nicer ground. I'm not sure what happened at Christmas.

"I'm delighted with him, delighted for the Moloneys and of course Mikey, he's a great rider and a big part of our team."

O'Connor subsequently had a final-flight fall in the next race, resulting in the young Cork rider being taken to Tallaght Hospital for further examination on a shoulder injury.

Ambitious effort pays off

Peter Fahey had plenty of supporters in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final with Freedom To Dream, but it was the outsider Ambitious Fellow who landed the spoils under Sam Ewing at 40-1.

The son of Fame And Glory traded as high as 160 on the exchanges when two lengths down coming to the last, but he responded to every urging from Ewing to get up close home by a head.

Rebel Ivy, who traded as low as 1.12, looked home at the last, but a well-timed challenge by Ambitious Fellow was to rain on his parade.

"I always thought he was a nice horse," said Fahey. "He went to the sales at Doncaster and nobody wanted him so we brought him home. He'll tip away during the summer there on nice gound and hopefully pay his way."

The Kildare handler was full of praise for the Red Mills series, saying: "It's a big thing and I've been very lucky in it. Fair play to Red Mills. It puts those horses who don't cost the huge money in their own bracket.

Ambitious Fellow and Sam Ewing wins the Connolly's Red Mills EBF Auction Hurdle Series FinalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Crosshill happy hurdling

Jessica Harrington added another success at her local track when longstanding stable jockey Robbie Power guided Crosshill home to win the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle at 15-2.

The decision to revert to hurdles with the winner has paid dividends for the Moone handler, who opened her account for the week.

It looked like Crosshill was in trouble three from home when making a mistake, but he regained his composure under Power and flew home with a late challenge to deny Classic Getaway and Fils D'Oudairies.

Harrington said: "He went wrong over fences – he just lost his confidence completely as he was jumping off to one side.

"It was fantastic to get his confidence back. He wasn't straightforward today, but he's very tough and stays very well."

Results, replays and analysis

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