Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 Tips

Dubbed the “Willie Mullins Festival” in certain quarters, the Dublin Racing Festival – or DRF – is a premier racing festival with eight Grade 1 contests and a number of high profile Grade A and B Chases and Hurdles taking place over the weekend.

Held at Leopardstown Racecourse over the course of 1st & 2nd February, trainers and punters alike can gauge where their horses are currently at on the run up to the Cheltenham Festival.

1.15 – Leopardstown

The opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival can go the way of the Henry De Bromhead-trained Sommesky (E/W NAP).

The 5yo son of Soldier Of Fortune was bought for just €9,000 by his owners at Tattersalls Ireland May Sale 2022  and picked up a rather handsome €12,000 when winning the Irish EBF Auction Series Hurdle at Limerick a month ago. This Grade 1 looks well within his grasp and he’s a generous each-way price.

Of the others, Final Demand could well be something special going forward.

1.50 – Leopardstown

French purchase Sainte Lucie (NAP) can give colourful owner Rich Ricci a day to remember in this 2m G1 Juvenile Hurdle. The filly was an emphatic winner at Punchestown and her sex allowance here will come in more than handy.

Course and distance scorer Hello Neighbour can chase the Mullins filly home.

2.25 – Leopardstown

A massive field of 26 runners go to post in the Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle with plenty of each-way value on offer. Backmersackme (E/W NAP) was a flared nostril behind Flicker Of Hope in a Listed affair last time, while Glen Kiln won with consummate ease at Navan in December.

If you fancy taking on the 7/4 favourite, then these could well be your alternative picks in our horse racing odds.

2.55 – Leopardstown

For many people Majborough (NAP) will be their banker of the weekend and it is easy to see why. The 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner is clearly a top class prospect and he showed us plenty of that when jumping them silly in his Beginners Chase.

If there is to be an upset in the Irish Arkle then Ile Atlantique is the most likely candidate to do so.

3.30 – Leopardstown

Galopin Des Champ (NAP) needs little introduction. Willie Mullins’ superstar is unbeaten in six starts over fences at Leopardstown  and he will need to see off nine rivals in his bid for a third straight win in the Irish Gold Cup.

Runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, Fact To File is forecast material at the very least.

4.05 – Leopardstown

Top weight shouldn’t prevent the 148-rated My Mate Mozzie (NAP) from capturing the Ryanair Listed Chase over 2m1f. The Galway Hurdle third is back to his familiar role after a brief spell of running on the Flat over the summer.

Captains Nephew is also worth a cautionary look given the excellent form of his trainer and jockey at the moment.

4.35 – Leopardstown

It would be rather apt if the well known double green silks of Green Splendour (NAP) were carried to victory in the concluding I.N.H Flat race at the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday.

A course and distance winner here on Boxing Day, the Mount Nelson-gelding is currently a 14/1 sports betting fancy for the Festival Bumper which won’t last for too long should he land the spoils today.

Gordon Elliott’s He Can’t Dance has been gelded since his December victory and could prove to be a formidable opponent.