Hi all,
You don’t get many Mondays like this. Top-class racing and big pots on offer.
It’s Saturday’s rescheduled Dublin Racing Festival card, and it’s a belter. The feature is the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (3:30). This could be the strongest staying Grade 1 chase of the season — and that includes the Cheltenham Gold Cup. If Galopin Des Champs wins it for a fourth straight year, Leopardstown will erupt.
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on all seven races on the DRF card.
Leopardstown
1:15 – Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m6f
Doctor Steinberg tops the market as Willie Mullins chases a fifth win in six years. He made all to land a Grade 2 at Navan last time. The runner-up Thedeviluno boosted the form at Doncaster last weekend. The step up to 2m6f should bring more improvement. He’s short, but he’s clearly the one to beat.
The main dangers come from Gordon Elliott yard.
Kazansky won a Grade 2 over 2m7f on heavy ground at Limerick. A stronger-run race will suit. He’s Jack Kennedy’s pick and makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Santo Sospir won at Clonmel 23 days ago. He’s open to progress, should stay the trip, and isn’t dismissed lightly.
1:50 – Gannon's City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
Another short-priced Mullins favourite in Narciso Has. He won a Grade 2 juvenile over C&D at Christmas. He won on soft ground in France, so conditions should hold no fears.
Mange Tout beat him at Fairyhouse, but he had race fitness on his side. I expect Narciso Has to reverse that form.
North Shore shaped well when third behind Narciso Has here on debut. Inexperience told, but he’s open to improvement. Interesting at a price — but only seven runners, so no each-way angle.
2:25 – Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed) – 3m
A proper big field handicap.
County Final improved for the trip when second to Kazansky in a Grade 2 at Limerick. He could be well treated on handicap debut for JP McManus. If Kazansky wins or goes close in the first he’ll be go off a short price.
Son Of Anarchy remains progressive and can improve improve again over 3m with Jack Kennedy back on.
Wendrock stayed on strongly here at Christmas. The step up in trip makes sense, but stamina will be fully tested in this ground.
Dippedinmoonlight shaped like a mare ahead of her mark at Fairyhouse last time. The 8lb rise is softened by the booking of a good 7lb conditional. The yard had a winner yesterday. Big run expected.
Duke Silver won over C&D last month. His 3m form now reads 2411. Progressive, but the 8lb rise and soft ground pose questions.
Champagne Kid won on handicap debut here I2m4) at Christmas. He stays 2m6f and should remain competitive despite a 7lb rise.
2:55 – Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) – 2m1f
Disappointing turnout with just the three runners.
Romeo Coolio is 3 from 3 over fences. He looks one of the most professional novice chasers I’ve seen this season. He won a Grade 1 over C&D at Christmas, and the rain helps him. Likely even better over further in time.
Kargese gets the mares’ allowance and the trip suits, but she may prefer better ground.
3:30 – Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) – 3m½f
A massive Grade 1. Likely the strongest staying chase of the season.
Galopin Des Champs goes for a fourth straight win in the race. He needed his Savills Chase run and will be much sharper here. If he wins, the roof comes off. It’s his race to lose.
Affordale Fury improved to win the Savills last time. Softer ground asks another question of him and some of his rivals will be closer to full fitness today.
Gaelic Warrior has the class and ground, but his Leopardstown chasing record is a worry.
Fact To File didn’t truly stay last year and softer ground makes this even harder.
I Am Maximus was slightly unlucky when runner-up in the Savills and will relish a stamina test. Solid each-way claims, but Galopin may simply have too much pace.
Grangeclare West runner-up last year and fourth in the Savills. Not a likely winner but is another with place claims.
Spindleberry is the wildcard. Unbeaten over fences (5 from 5). Bred to stay and dangerous to dismiss.
Inothewayurthinkin should run better than in the Savills, but this trip is too sharp for the Cheltenham Gold Cup winners.
4:05 – Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed) – 2m1f
Jacob’s Ladder shaped well in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last time. He should improve again on handicap debut. The yard knows what’s requited to win the race.
Western Diego won the Dan & Joan Moore Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse. Up 8lb but improving and in the mix.
Stablemate More Coko was runner-up in the Dan Moore. Lightly raced and capable of better over fences.
Addragoole won over C&D at Christmas. Up 10lb but gets 5lb back courtesy of Eoin Staples. Still improving. Soft ground a small worry.
Battle Of Ridgeway jumps slickly and handles soft ground as he showed when winning at Navan last time. Up in class and 9lb higher but has claims.
4:40 – Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) – 2m
It’s Only A Game stands out. He won well at Punchestown and looks a proper soft-ground horse. He looks a strong stayer at the trip, has class, and looks a serious Champion Bumper contender.
In tomorrow’s column, I’ll review the weekend’s action.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John