Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 0.70s

Facile Vega²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| CD

2/9

Highly promising individual. 1/9, career best when winning 16-runner novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) on hurdles bow 24 days ago, impressively. Very difficult to oppose.

Form: 1111-1

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Il Etait Temps^h³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

9/1

Useful hurdler. 1/7 and hooded for 1st time, didn't need to be at best when winning 15-runner novice hurdle at Thurles (16.2f, soft) 33 days ago, easily. Should make his presence felt.

Form: 5/2354-1

Intranet²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| D

16/1

Fairly useful hurdler. First run since leaving Mlle D. Mele when won 21-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (16.3f, good to soft, 11/8) on IRE NH debut 28 days ago, plenty in hand. This is much tougher but he's clearly promising.

Form: 1-1

Itswhatunitesus^h⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

33/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. Didn't need to be at best when winning 4-runner minor event hurdle (5/4) at Punchestown (16.4f, soft) 8 days ago, very much having run of race. Should progress but probably biting off more than he can chew here.

Form: 14-211

Path D'oroux^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| D

50/1

Thrice-raced winner under Rules. Pulled up in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy, 5/1) 23 days ago, folding home turn. Tongue strap back on.

Form: 511-1P

Ashroe Diamond²³

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

7/1

Promising sort. Excellent 4 lengths third of 8 to Marine Nationale in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle (13/2) at Fairyhouse (16f, heavy) 23 days ago. One of 4 representing Willie Mullins and Facile Vega is the clear stable No 1.

Form: 1241-13

Forecasts

Facile Vega (2/9), Ashroe Diamond (7/1), Il Etait Temps (9/1), Intranet (16/1), Itswhatunitesus (33/1), Path D'oroux (50/1)

Last year's Champion Bumper winner FACILE VEGA was very impressive on debut in this sphere at Fairyhouse and is already a warm order for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. It will be a major surprise if he is turned over here. Willie Mullins also fields Ashroe Diamond, Intranet and Il Etait Temps, with the first-named the most appealing option for forecast purposes.