FACILE Vega (152+) added to his Grade 1 tally with what is likely to be the first of many over hurdles as the visual dominancy over his field was confirmed by an impressive time figure; one which set him alongside Marine Nationale at the head of my novice hurdle ratings.

A comparison with the following handicap shows the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite to be 1.7secs quicker than Winter Fog although the gap widens when focusing on the final circuit which the novice covered 2.8secs quicker, hurdling with great fluency in the process.

Ashroe Diamond (143) finished strongly into third, although her time figure was slightly slower than she achieved in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse.

Winter Fog (143) was impressive in his own right as he closed off his race in an identical time to Facile Vega to win on his stable debut for Willie Mullins.

Surprisingly dropped in trip, the nine-year-old covered the ground from the second last hurdle in 46.1secs, which was 1.2secs quicker than One Last Tango (135), who was best of the rest in the race through the closing stages.