Monday 2nd February 2026
We kick off the Dubin Racing Festival on Monday at Leopardstown with the 1.15, and this is the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, which is contested over two miles and six furlongs. The one who sets the standard here is DOCTOR STEINBERG for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He sets the standard on all known form, notably, when getting the better of Thedeviluno by four and three-quarters of a length last time out in Grade 2 company, as that rival has since come out and won a Grade 2 of his own by five lengths. He could well be top-class. An each-way alternative could come in the form of Declan Queally’s Tackletommywoowoo, he won a novice hurdle by fifteen lengths on his penultimate start, before winning a Listed event by over two lengths last time out.
Next up is the 1.50, and this is more Grade 1 action in the form of the Gannon’s City & Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle, over two miles. It could pay to take a chance on what is seemingly the Willie Mullins second string here in SELMA DE VARY, who’s the mount of Paul Townend. This is her first start for Closutton in the Ricci silks, having been purchased from French, and her French form looks solid. In her final outing in France, she won a thirteen-runner affair by nine lengths, and she could well be a very exciting recruit. The one to beat is clearly Narciso Has, who’s another for Willie Mullins. He won a Grade 2 by eleven lengths last time out, and if he’s in the same form could be tough to beat.
We move into handicap company at 2.25, with the Listed Race & Stay at Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle, which is contested over three miles. This is extremely competitive; however, Emmet McNamara could hold the key with COUNTY FINAL in the JP McManus silks and the mount of Mark Walsh. He’s a lightly-raced six-year-old and won a maiden hurdle by sixteen lengths on his first start of this campaign. Since then, he finished a length and a half second of nine within handicap company at Punchestown, before finishing an impressive head second to Kazansky in Grade 2 company at Limerick last time out. He’s got a mark of 128 here, which he could prove to be considerably better than.
The fourth race of the afternoon comes up at 2.55, and this is the Grade 1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase over two miles and a furlong. Over this distance, KARGESE could be the one to be on here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. She’s a very smart mare on her day, winning the County Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, and she opened her account for this campaign by fourteen lengths at Leopardstown last time out. She’s getting the seven-pound sex allowance here from her two rivals, and she could well have too much pace for them. That being said, Romeo Coolio is the best horse in the race and comes into the race having won back-to-back Grade 1s. He’s certainly the one to beat.
The feature race on Monday is set to take place at 3.30, namely the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase over three miles and half of a furlong. The reigning champion GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can retain his crown here and win this particular contest for an incredible fourth year in a row, and take the roof off Leopardstown in the process. He missed his usual comeback in the John Durkan this year due to a setback, but posted a very encouraing effort when third in the Savills Chase here over Christmas. He should take a big step forward following that run, as he always does following his first outing, and another massive effort could well be forthcoming. The 2024 Grand National winner, I Am Maximus, stablemate of GDC, could be an each-way play. He ran a fantastic race in the Savills when finishing ahead of GDC in second. He looks overpriced here on the back of that run.
Our penultimate race of the day is the 4.05, which is the Listed Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase over two miles and a furlong. Gordon Elliott’s JACOB’S LADDER looks like a solid play in this competitive affair. He was a Grade 3 winner over hurdles last term, and got the better of the useful Karoline Banbou by over four lengths to open his account over fences on his penultimate start. Most recently, he finished second of five behind rapid improver Kappa Jy Pyke in Grade 3 company at Punchestown, and he should prove to be a big player now switched to handicaps.
Signing us off for the day is the 4.40, and the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast National Hunt Flat Race over two miles. Derek O’Connor has ridden the last two winners of the race, and he looks to have a solid chance in this year’s renewal with ROJUCO MAC for Charles Byrnes. This six-year-old was only half of a length behind Ballyfad in a bumper in November, which is extremely solid form. Most recently, he beat Willie Mullins’ Looking For Eight at Limerick by three-quarters of a length, with the pair pulling eleven lengths clear of the third. He could be a nice prospect, and looks a decent price here. It’s Only A Game, and Charismatic Kid could both be useful and have obvious chances at the top of the market.
1.15 – Doctor Steinberg – 5/4 – (Win) – NB
1.50 – Selma De Vary – 9/1 – (Each-Way)
2.25 – County Final – 11/2 – (Each-Way) (5 places)
3.00 – Kargese – 2/1 – (Win)
3.30 – Galopin Des Champs – 13/8 – (Win) – NAP
4.05 – Jacob’s Ladder – 6/1 – (Each-Way) (4 places)
4.40 – Rojuco Mac – 13/2 – (Each-Way)
