Sunday 4th 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.
12.40: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle: The opener on Sunday is the 12.40 which is a handicap hurdle over two miles and two furlongs. I think that this can go to Risk Belle for Willie Mullins and Mark Walsh, she’s a classy mare who’s already won a Grade 3 this term and also has Grade A Handicap success on her CV from Fairyhouse last season. She still looks like she’s on a workable mark and can make her presence felt in this. Risk Belle – 9/2 (Win)
1.10: Ladbrokes Novice Chase: Next up it’s Grade 1 action in the form of the Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles and five and a half furlongs. This looks to be all about Gaelic Warrior for me for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He’s looked a real machine so far over fences, winning both starts in effortless style with the most recent success coming in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase over Christmas. If he’s anywhere near the level of that run he’ll be very tough to beat. Gaelic Warrior – 11/10F (Win)
1.40: Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle: The third race of the day is a Grade 1 novice hurdle that’s contested over two miles. I think this is another one that can go to Willie Mullins with Ballyburn who’s also another ride for Paul Townend. He put his hurdling debut defeat well behind him last time out when bolting up by twenty-five lengths at Christmas and looks like another highly exciting prospect for his all-conquering yard. He also beat Dancing City by six lengths in a bumper last term who won a Grade 1 here on Saturday, I think he’ll be tough to beat. Ballyburn – EvsF (Win)
2.10: Ladbrokes Dublin Chase: We move onto the 2.10 which is the Grade 1 Dublin Chase that’s ridden over two miles and a furlong. This looks like more of the same as it’s near impossible to oppose El Fabiolo who heads the betting Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Last year’s Arkle winner made a comfortable winning reappearance in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork back in December and he will likely come on a great deal from that outing, it would be a major shock if he wasn’t to win and win well. El Fabiolo – 2/5F (Win)
2.45: Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle: The Irish Champion Hurdle comes up at 2.45 and State Man currently heads the betting at short odds following another Grade 1 succes here over Christmas in the Matheson Hurdle. He’ll obviously be incredibly tough to beat, however, I’m taking him on here and I’m actually going to have a punt in this race on Bob Olinger at 11/1 for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He’s found his feet again this season and posted his best effort for some time when winning the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham last month by seven-lengths, and if he has returned to his best he could well make his presence felt. Bob Olinger – 11/1 (Win)
3.20: O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase: We move back into handicap company at 3.20 with a Grade 3 handicap chase over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on James Du Berlais here who’s currently a 13/2 chance for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He ran well last time out when finishing fourth in the Paddy Power Chase, he weakened that day in the closing stages and now he’s dropped down in trip I expect him to finish this race out in a lot stronger fashion. James Du Berlais – 13/2 (Each-Way)
3.50: Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle: It’s more handicap action at 3.50 which is the penultimate race of the meeting with a listed handicap hurdle over over two miles. This is another race in which I’m going to have a punt, and I’ll be doing that with two picks. The first of which is Zenta for Mark Walsh and Willie Mullins, this is his first try within a handicap having plied his tried in graded company and was a Grade 1 winner at Aintree last term when taking the Juvenile Hurdle, he could be a class above this grade and looks on a workable mark. The second pick is Bialystock, who’s another for Willie Mullins and this time the mount of Paul Townend. He ran a fine race last time when fourth in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, he’s also got form in competitive handicaps having won one at the Punchestown Festival last year, and he can go well again here. Zenta – 11/1 (Each-Way) & Bialystock – 12/1 (Each-Way)
4.25: Coolmore N.H. Sires “Hurricane Lane” Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race: The concluding race of the meeting is the 4.25 which is the Grade 2 bumper over two miles for mares. I’m siding with Mongibello here who represents the team of Stuart Crawford and Stephen Connor. She was second on rules debut in a listed mares bumper behind the smart Willie Mullins mare Only By Night and made no mistake after on her most recent outing when winning by twenty-six lengths on Boxing Day at Down Royal. If she progresses again, which is likely, she’s every chance of going close in this. Mongibello – 11/2 (Each-Way)
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