Dublin Racing Festival Day 2 Tips

Day Two of the Dublin Racing Festival features four Grade 1’s including The Irish Champion Hurdle, among other competitive Grade 2 and Grade B Races.

Check out our Day 1 tips for Leopardstown here!

12.40 – Leopardstown

Twenty plus mares go to post in this competitive 2m2f Handicap Hurdle and there is plenty of each-way value in our sports betting market.

Philip Rothwell’s Phils Choice (E/W NAP) ran well last time when she finished the runner-up in a mares’ event at Limerick and she can progress again under Tiernan Power Roche, while Rothwell’s other runner Deons Diamond, also lurks on a handy low weight at the bottom of the handicap.

1.10 – Leopardstown

In a field full of exciting novices, the nod marginally goes to  the Gordon Elliott-trained Croke  Park (NAP). After a neck win in the Drinmore, he followed that up with a head victory at Leopardstown on Boxing Day.

Willie Mullins’ Ballyburn can give him the most to do.

1.40 – Leopardstown

The Willie Mullins-trained Karafon (NAP) can put a disappointing showing in the Future Champions behind him and bounce right back in this winnable Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 Novice Hurdle.

The double green horses of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede tend to take a few runs to adjust after their time in France, and this five-year-old is quietly fancied at home.

British raider Good And Clever can make the podium spots.

2.10 – Leopardstown

Marine Nationale (NAP) can step up the plate in the Dublin this weekend. He took a good step forward when he finished third behind Solness and Gaelic Warrior in the Grade 1 Paddys Rewards Club Chase over Christmas, and appears primed for a big run.

Winner of the Royal Bond Hurdle and of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, his class is finally beginning to shine through in the chasing sphere.

Forecast backers should consider Quilixios for that berth, based on his last encounter with the NAP.

2.45 – Leopardstown

Despite being burdened with the top weight of 11st 6lbs in this 2m5½f Handicap Chase, James Du Berlais (NAP) should have enough class to fend off his sixteen rivals.

Third in this race last year and a brave second in the Topham Chase at Aintree, the nine-year-old just has that little bit extra about him compared to some of these middle-of-the-road handicappers.

Those considering a big priced each-way outsider here should give Aime Desjy the once over. The ten-year-old surely has to shake off his jumping shackles again soon.

3.20 – Leopardstown

It effectively comes down to a match between Lossiemouth (NAP) and State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle with the stronger preference going to the Ricci-owned runner.

The grey was no match for the returning Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day but she should account for a less than invincible State Man.

3.50 – Leopardstown

A wide open handicap hurdle follows the Irish Champion hurdle with punters looking for some more each-way suggestions in the horse racing betting.

Brave Troop (E/W NAP) has been a revelation for the Byrnes stable this season and they were keen for a claimer to be jocked up today, while McLaurey won a seventeen runner affair at Limerick and can make the grade once more.

4.25 – Leopardstown

The DRF concludes with a competitive mares’ bumper and Future Prospect (NAP) looks to be the talking horse here. Order Of St George progeny has been winning left, right and centre these last couple of weeks, and he has definitely sired a useful mare in this one.

Amen Kate for the Thomas Cooper yard could well have a say in proceedings too.