4.15 2m. 100yds. 5 Declared. KPMG Champion Novice H'dle (Grade 1) of €125,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €75,000.00 2nd - €25,000.00 3rd - €12,500.00 4th - €6,250.00 5th - €3,750.00
FormscanBy John O'Riordan - FACILE VEGA should be good enough to end his season on a high, having redeemed his huge reputation when an excellent second in the Supreme Novices Hurdle last month. Some judges questioned his capabilities following a shock defeat at Leopardstown in February but the six-year-old silenced the doubters with a big performance. In fact, only for a mistake at the final flight, he may well have gone much closer. A Grade 1 bumper winner at this meeting last year, he looks the horse to beat. Stablemate Diverge outran odds of 25/1 when keeping on well to take third place in the aforementioned Cheltenham race. Given his lack of hurdling experience, the Chris Jones-owned gelding is entitled to show improvement. Il Etait Temps could only manage fifth in the Supreme Novices but is a real contender on the form of his Dublin Racing Festival win on his penultimate start.
A novice hurdle for five years old and upwardsWeights - 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs