Dublin Racing Festival Day 2 Tips & Predictions (2026)

Day Two of the Dublin Racing Festival features four Grade 1’s including The Irish Champion Hurdle, among the other competitive heats.  

The Irish Champion Hurdle has been won by some of the best hurdlers around such as the legendary Honeysuckle from the year 2020-2022 and State Man (2023, 2024, 2025).

12.40pm – 2m2f Mares Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+)

Denis Hogan’s COUSIN KATE is in the form of her life at present, and after comfortable wins at Limerick and Cork, the five-year-old can hold her own in this Listed affair.

Jockey Michael Kenneally’s 7lb claim will also be a massive boost to her chances and she’s a solid each-way pick.

1.10pm – 2m5½f Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

The Willie Mullins-trained FINAL DEMAND brought up a third Grade 1 success when winning the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick over Christmas, and will take all the beating here.

A victory here will see him slashed even further in our horse racing betting for the Brown Advisory at The Festival.

1.40pm – 2m Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+)

At around 16/1 in the betting, I think Noel Meade’s charge BLAKE has been somewhat underestimated in this line up.

Second by just a head to Koktail Brut in the Royal Bond, I’m confident that form is more than adequate to hold his own in this contest.

2.10pm – 2m1f Dublin Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)

MARINE NATIONALE (NAP) bravely finished runner-up to Solness at Christmas time, after he overcame a juddering mistake to be beaten only half a length.

You would like to imagine that 170-rated chaser can exact revenge on his old foe on Sunday, before heading back to Prestbury Park next month.

2.45pm – 2m5½f Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+)

The question here is which JP horse do you pick as he only has a mere six of them entered in the Grade 3 handicap chase.

BALLYBAWN BELTER doesn’t hail from a particularly “sexy” stable, so the eight-year-old mare should fly under the betting radar somewhat, despite being an emphatic eleven length winner last time out. A repetition of that effort should see her in the shake-up once more.

3.20pm – 2m Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+)

LOSSIEMOUTH is one of the classiest horses in training, with Willie Mullins’ mighty mare having raced 16 times and won 13 times. At odds of 5/4 in our sports betting market, she looks an absolute gift of a price.

3.52pm – 2m Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+ 0-150)

My each-way longshot antennae has homed in on the Willie Mullins-trained SONY BILL.

Raced at the highest level last season, the French import will be much better suited to Listed handicap company, and can go well off a favourable weight.

4.27pm – 2m Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) (4-6yo)

Stuart Crawford’s ROYAL HILLSBOROUGH has plenty of experience and has been holding her own in these type of races.

Connections will be hoping she doesn’t run into another “good thing” today, otherwise she holds a sound chance.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*