'He was very slick' - Facile Vega 5-4 for Supreme after easy hurdling debut win

Saturday: Fairyhouse

The much-anticipated return of last season's brilliant bumper performer Facile Vega did not disappoint, as the Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite produced a fine display from the front in the second division of the 2m maiden hurdle.

It was always likely that the 1-9 favourite would have to make his own running under Paul Townend, with the only slight moment of alarm in a 14-length success coming when the unbeaten five-year-old ran around approaching the third-last hurdle.

The son of Walk In The Park and the great racemare Quevega was trimmed to 5-4 from 7-4 at the top of the Supreme market by Paddy Power, a race his trainer Willie Mullins has won a record seven times.

Mullins said: "I was very happy how he jumped, he hurdled like a handicapper. Paul was happy that he was well within himself the whole way round. He was very slick for a horse having his first run over hurdles and making his own running.

"I don't know what happened at the third-last but when Paul gave him a squeeze after jumping it he said that he just took off. It was very pleasing and we will look at Christmas now."

Gold medal for Sil Ver

Tony Martin and the local Mulvany's Bar Syndicate felt the benefit of the ground remaining close to good this far into the year, as Sil Ver Klass ground out a game victory in the feature Grade B EasyFix Equine Handicap Chase under Peter Carberry.

In a fine scrap all the way up the straight, Sil Ver Klass got a couple of good jumps in the straight to deny the effort of Magic Daze by three-quarters of a length. Both pinged the last but the 20lb received by the winner made the difference.

It was a winner that continued the resurgence of Martin, who said: "He's owned by local boys and it couldn't have worked out better. He's won here before and jumps these fences well. His strong point is his jumping and its a nice prize to win."

"I would say that's his best performance," added rider Carberry. "He just seems to be a better chaser and he proved it today. I probably got to the front soon enough but he got a good jump at the last and he ran all the way to the line."

Crooner on song

The opening beginners' chase could prove one of the hottest ones run this season, and it was a race which showed the ability to jump and run straight can produce results as Minella Crooner gamely ground out victory for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

His ability to do just that saw him home against the erratic I Am Maximus, who threw the race away by jumping constantly to his left.

"He's a big three-mile horse and we'll probably head to Leopardstown over Christmas," said Elliott. "The further he goes the better he'll be and he could be a horse for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham."

Elliott went on to saddle a treble with Landrake under Kennedy in the 2m4f rated novice hurdle and Doctor Bravo, ridden by John Gleeson in the bumper, a race named in memory of Elliott's uncle Willie.

Results, replays and analysis

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