Saturday 3rd February 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing)
Welcome aboard to my preview for this year’s Dublin Racing Festival which is set to take place on the 3rd and 4th of February at Leopardstown. I’ll be covering the full card on both days of racing, sharing my opinions on every race. Remember, you don’t have to punt on every race, and gamble responsibly on the ones in which you are having a bet.
1.20: Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle: We kick things off with the Grade 1 novice hurdle over two miles and six and a half furlongs, and this can go to Predators Gold for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He was an impressive maiden winner before finishing second in Grade 1 company at Punchestown last time behind Caldwell Potter. That’s the best form on offer here and he should put in a serious bid. Predators Gold – 13/8F (Win)
1.50: McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle: It’s the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at 1.50 over a distance of two miles and I’m chancing Kargese here, who’s another one for Willie Mullins, but this time the mount of Danny Mullins. She posted a fine effort on her stable debut here last month when three-quarters of a length second behind Kala Conti in Grade 2 company, and if building on that here she could prove a big player. Kargese – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase: The third race of the day is the Irish Arkle, which is a Grade 1 novice chase over two miles and a furlong. It’s very hard to impose Marine Nationale here who heads the betting for Barry Connell and Michael O’Sullivan. He was mightily impressive on his chase debut here last month and with Facile Vega disappointing when last seen it seems hard to envisage a turnaround of form. Marine Nationale – 4/9F (Win)
3.00: Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle: We moving into handicap company at 3.00 with a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle over three miles and half of a furlong. I’ve decided to chance the stamina of Park Of Kings here for Paul Nolan and Conor Stone-Walsh who takes off five pounds. He’s won two handicap hurdles this season and placed in the last two, he still looks to be on a decent mark with the rider’s claim and gets to carry a very lowly weight. Park Of Kings – 12/1 (Each-Way)
3.35: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase: The feature race of the afternoon comes up at 3.35 which is the Irish Gold Cup over three miles and half of a furlong. It’s hard to see past last year’s winner and subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs here who was back to his brilliant best in the Savills Chase last time out here at Christmas. If turning up in the same kind of form as last time he should avenge his defeats to Fastorslow. Galopin Des Champs – 4/9F (Win)
4.10: Ryanair Handicap Chase: The penultimate race of the afternoon is the 4.10 which is a handicap chase over two miles and a furlong. This is another extremely competitive contest, however, I’ve come down on Madara for Sophie Leech and James Reveley. He was impressive when getting the better of In Excelsis Deo at Cheltenham last time, and still looks to be on a generous mark here, just three pounds higher. He’s unexposed and has every chance of going well again. Madara – 5/1 (Each-Way)
4.40: Donohue Marquees Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race: We sign off on Saturday with the 4.40 which is the Grade 2 National Hunt Flat Race over two miles. If he’s anywhere near his best the dual Champion Bumper winner from Cheltenham and Punchestown should be winning this, and that’s A Dream To Share, he’s had some issues this season that have delayed his return to the track, but I think he should still have enough to get the better of Redemption Day. A Dream To Share – 11/10F (Win)
Image provided by https://www.horseracingphoto.co.uk and is licensed under a Creative Commons
