Unbeaten Son Of Walk In The Park Conquers Cheltenham

Willie Mullins described Facile Vega (5g Walk In The Park - Quevega, by Robin Des Champs) as “the real deal” after the bay extended his unbeaten record in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

An impressive winner of both his previous starts, most recently by 12 lengths in a Grade 2 contest, the son of Walk In The Park was sent off favourite despite encountering heavy ground for the first time. Racing in mid-division, Patrick Mullins asked his mount to improve from six furlongs out and produced a challenge with two furlongs left to race. Soon in front, he went clear inside the final furlong to beat fellow Irish raider American Mike (Mahler) by three lengths and three quarters.

“I’ve compared him to Florida Pearl, who was a very good bumper horse, and that’s how highly we regard him,” a delighted Willie Mullins said after the race. “I don’t know how good he is – he covers an awful lot of ground when he’s galloping and he has plenty of speed.”

Owned and bred by the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, Facile Vega is the second and best foal out of top-class racemare Quevega. A four-year-old full-sister to Facile Vega is in training at Closutton, while Quevega recently produced a full-brother to the Grade 1 star.