Can Champion Bumper star Facile Vega maintain unbeaten streak on hurdling debut?

The unbeaten Facile Vega, who has been the ante-post favourite for the Supreme ever since running away with the Champion Bumper in March, will make his long-awaited debut over hurdles in the Fingal Ravens Raceday Maiden Hurdle (1.52) at Fairyhouse.

He went on to capture a second Grade 1 success at Punchestown in April and is best-priced at 2-1 for the Sky Bet-sponsored opener at Cheltenham.

The five-year-old also won a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in February with 12 lengths in hand against Sandor Clegane, who blew the field away by the same distance earlier this week in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

The son of Quevega seeks to land back-to-back wins in this race for Willie Mullins, who scored last year with Grangee. The champion trainer has reported Facile Vega's jumping to be "very good" and is eager to get the star novice off to a winning start over hurdles.

"He's been jumping well and doing everything right at home," Mullins said. "Granted a clear round, he should get his season off to a good start."

The most dangerous of the opposition could be £305,000 purchase Arctic Bresil, who makes a long-awaited rules debut for Henry de Bromhead. The son of Blue Bresil impressed in point-to-point outings and defeated the Gordon Elliott-trained An Mhi, who reopposes after slipping on his stable debut at Cheltenham in October.

Elliott also holds another trick up his sleeve in Smooth Player, who finished under four lengths behind The Nice Guy on his last outing at Leopardstown in December.

"Smooth Player ran with plenty of promise last year and hopefully will have come into himself over his break. He will probably need the run," said Elliott.

Minella Crooner: narrowly denied on his chase debut last monthCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

After being headed by Darrens Hope in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown, Minella Crooner will look to get back to winning ways for Elliott in the opening Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beginners Chase (11.35).

The six-year-old will take on I Am Maximus, who was fourth in last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and makes his first start for Mullins after leaving Nicky Henderson's yard.

"He had some nice form for Nicky Henderson in England and he could be a big asset to the yard," said Mullins. "This race traditionally throws up a good horse and hopefully this fellow maintains that trend."

Also featuring is Noel Meade's hat-trick-seeking Highland Charge, as well as Henry De Bromhead's Largy Debut.

The closing Willie Elliott Memorial INH Flat Race (3.35) could prove an interesting affair, with the Mullins-trained point-to-point winner Nick Rockett set to take on two expensive purchases for Elliott's yard in Shannon Royale and Stellar Story, who is a full brother to The Storyteller.

Mullins said: "It's bound to be a very hot bumper. The drying ground should be in our favour."

On Stellar Story, Elliott said: "Based off pedigree, his best racing should come when he goes chasing."

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.30 Aintree: 'We're confident in what we've seen at home' - Ahoy Senor on revival mission

1.45 Sandown: 'It's a Grade 1 so it's no giveaway' - Henderson on hot favourite Jonbon

2.05 Aintree: 'This has been the plan with him since March' - Becher Chase quotes and insight

2.20 Sandown: Love Envoi takes first step on path towards Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham

2.55 Sandown: 'If he's back to his best he's the one to beat' - Shishkin returns in Tingle Creek

3.30 Sandown: 'We think there's plenty more to come from him' - key London National quotes

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