KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 4m 0.80s

Diverge^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| CD

4/1

Fairly useful performer on the level in France who left his hurdling debut form well behind when running out an emphatic winner of a 22-runner C&D maiden. Progressed again up in grade in a first-time tongue strap when third in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival and may do better still.

Form: 613

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Facile Vega⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| BF| CD

4/6

Won all 4 starts in bumpers last season, including Champion Bumper, and looked just as special over hurdles when ready winner of Leopardstown Grade 1 over Christmas period. Lost his unbeaten record in tame fashion there next time but proved that running all wrong when runner-up in the Supreme.

Form: 11-1152

Found A Fifty¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Gainford| T: G Elliott| OR: 142| BF| D

28/1

Runner-up in his only bumper and made an impressive start to life over hurdles when making all in 25-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (2m, soft). Improved when narrowly touched off in Naas Grade 2 and travelled well for a long way at Aintree (16.5f) on most recent outing. This requires more, though.

Form: 1-2128

Il Etait Temps^h⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148| D

10/3

Much improved since fitted with a hood, building on his Tramore maiden win when second to Facile Vega at Leopardstown over Christmas. Capitalised on that rival underperforming when resuming winning ways in Grade 1 there next time and far from disgraced when fifth in Supreme since. Respected.

Form: 54-1215

No Looking Back¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Phillip Enright| T: O McKiernan| D

66/1

Bumper winner who made it 2 from 2 over hurdles in a Grade 2 match at Limerick in December. Confirmed himself a useful novice when runner-up in Grade 3 at Naas but failed to give his running at Aintree subsequently and faces another stiff task.

Form: 14-1120

Forecasts

Facile Vega (4/6), Il Etait Temps (10/3), Diverge (4/1), Found A Fifty (28/1), No Looking Back (66/1)

FACILE VEGA proved his Leopardstown running in February all wrong when beaten only by a highly-promising rival in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and sets the standard on that piece of form. Stablemates Diverge and Il Etait Temps can battle it out for the forecast spot.