Goffs Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2)

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 3m 59.30s

The Big Doyen⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D O'Connor| T: Peter Fahey| D

7/1

Unbeaten in 2 bumpers to this point, storming clear to land a 5-runner event at Punchestown on the second occasion 83 days ago. Concedes weight to some talented rivals, but well respected.

Form: 11

Carnfunnock⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B G Crawford| T: S R B Crawford| D

28/1

Confirmed debut promise when landing 14-runner bumper at Ayr (16f, good to soft) 81 days ago, but likely to be outclassed in this grade.

Form: 3-1

Da Capo Glory¹⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Darragh Allen| T: Padraig Butler| D

50/1

9/2, won 7-runner bumper at Galway (16.4f, heavy) 105 days ago, going clear. Uphill task in this company.

Form: 35-1

Embassy Gardens⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Miss J Townend| T: W P Mullins| C

20/1

Won 12-runner bumper at this course (20f, soft, 4/6) on NH debut 40 days ago, albeit having to work a lot harder than the market anticipated. Should improve for that initial experience.

Form: 1

Facile Vega⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| CD

8/11

Created a huge impression when winning 16-runner bumper at this C&D (soft, 10/11) on NH debut 41 days ago, barely off the bridle as he stamped his authority. Should follow up.

Form: 1

Itswhatunitesus⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr J J Codd| T: G Elliott| D

7/2

Looked a good prospect when winning 15-runner bumper at Navan (16f, good to soft, 10/11) on NH debut 63 days ago, plenty in hand. Definite player.

Form: 1

Sandor Clegane⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr B O'Neill| T: P Nolan| D

17/2

8/1, won 11-runner bumper at Punchestown (15.9f, good to soft) on NH debut 62 days ago, kept up to work. More to come, and well worth his place in this company.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Facile Vega (8/11), Itswhatunitesus (7/2), The Big Doyen (7/1), Sandor Clegane (17/2), Embassy Gardens (20/1), Carnfunnock (28/1), Da Capo Glory (50/1)

FACILE VEGA is already vying for favouritism in the Champion Bumper after his emphatic winning debut over C&D and, while this is clearly tougher, he gets the marginal vote over The Big Doyen, who has also displayed a big engine so far. Gordon Elliott's representative, Itswhatunitesus, can't be ruled out.