Willie Mullins has confirmed that Facile Vega was "quite sore" following his Dublin Racing Festival defeat at Leopardstown.
Previously unbeaten and sent off the 4/9 favourite for Sunday's Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, the son of Walk In The Park (out of great racemare Quevega) was a spent force before the turn into the straight after attempting to make the running, just as he had done when recording his first top-level success over hurdles at Leopardstown's major Christmas meeting.
He ended up trailing in 20 lengths fifth of six behind stablemate Il Etait Temps, and Ireland's champion trainer has confirmed the six-year-old was found to be suffering physically.
Mullins said on Racing TV: "We've a few niggles here and there and Facile Vega was lame, he was quite sore.
"He was getting better this morning so I think he'll be alright.
"He was beaten jumping the second or third hurdle, I thought anyway!"
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