1.45 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Facile Vega: Emerged as a top prospect when winning a bumper on his debut at this meeting before taking that scene by storm, recording impressive wins at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham, while more workmanlike at Punchestown. Easy task on his hurdles debut at Fairyhouse but did very little to deter the notion that he’s going to be a serious novice hurdler and can confirm that now.

Il Etait Temps: Equipped himself well in Grade 1 juvenile hurdles last season, notably on his debut for his trainer when third to Vauban in Spring Juvenile. No wins means he had novice status for the year, and he made no mistake in maiden hurdle company first time out. Experience will stand to him.

Intranet: French recruit who showed a very likeable attitude to win at the first time of asking in Punchestown maiden hurdle, fighting back after being headed to win comfortably to score in the end. Of course this is harder, but he should improve for the experience and looks a nice prospect.

Itswhatunitesus: Out again quickly after he put up a useful performance to give away 9lbs to Carnfunnock in a novice hurdle at Punchestown, which backed up his maiden hurdle win at Cork. This is much harder, but he deserves to have a crack.

Path D’Oroux: Punchestown festival bumper winner last term and impressed in the manner of his maiden hurdle win at Galway where he was a comfortable winner over Itswhatunitesus. Well supported in the betting for the Royal Bond but possibly the hot pace found him out there so he has a bit to prove now.

Ashroe Diamond: Confirmed herself a smart mare by winning Grade 2 mares’ bumper at Aintree last term and has looked good so far over hurdles, landing short odds in Naas maiden hurdle and then stepping up considerably on that effort to finish third to Marine Nationale in Royal Bond. That was a fine run on just her second start over hurdles and she could get closest to the favourite.

Conclusion

Facile Vega is difficult to oppose on what we’ve seen from him so far. He won’t be a betting proposition for the majority so the ‘without’ market will be the place to go if you want to play. Ashroe Diamond could be the best of the rest as her Fairyhouse form looks the best on offer.