Il Etait Temps was a shock winner as Facile Vega finished last of all in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The Danny Mullins-ridden Il Etait Temps (14-1) becomes another Willie Mullins-trained runner to shock a better fancied stablemate at Leopardstown, this time in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle. #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/kEoZBzU9jt
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) February 5, 2023
Both horses are trained by Willie Mullins, but it was Facile Vega who was widely expected to triumph as the 4/9 favourite.
He faded quickly out of the race after turning for home, however, whereas his stablemate was able to accelerate under Danny Mullins to stun onlookers with a nine-and-a-half-length success at 14/1.
There had been drama earlier on, too, when one-time Derby favourite High Definition parted company with JJ Slevin.
??? "We'll have to ride him like a racehorse than a machine."@WillieMullinsNH still wants to run Facile Vega in the Supreme @CheltenhamRaces - despite his no-show @LeopardstownRC
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2023
Il Etait Temps could join him but also has the Ballymore as an option#DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/N1rydJgBfU
SHARING OPTIONS: