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Dublin Racing Festival Saturday Tips and Previews
THE DRF IS FINALLY HERE! It’s a Grade 1 fest from Leopardstown on Saturday with the likes of Lossiemouth, Appreciate It and Galopin Des Champs all in action.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
Leopardstown Saturday Schedule
1.20 Leopardstown Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors “50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff” Nov Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m6f
1.55 Leopardstown Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
2.30 Leopardstown Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m1f
3.05 Leopardstown Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m
3.40 Leopardstown Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 3m
4.10 Leopardstown Paddy Power Handicap Chase (Sandyford Handicap Chase) (Grade B) 2m1f
4.40 Leopardstown Shabra Charity Oliver Brady Memorial Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer
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Leopardstown 1.20
A wide open race to kick off the Dublin Racing Festival with all of these not without a chance. I am going to have two in this with WEVALLBEENCAUGHT my first bet. He started the season in a Grade 2 on his hurdles debut behind the classy Hermes Allen. He finished third that day with both horses in front of him race fit. He clearly improved for the run when he beat Rock My Way at Cheltenham. He still looked like he has plenty to learn and could be even better here, especially with the form being franked last week.
There are a couple in here that were held in high regard before having excuses on their last run. GRANGECLARE WEST ran well in defeat in the Lawlor’s of Naas which looked a strong renewal. The vet said he was coughing post race so you would expect him to be a lot better this time round. Especially as Willie Mullins has won 7 of the last 10 runnings of this race. American Mike is a lively danger if he can bounce back as he had a few issues which caused him to run below par last time. Sandor Clegane could also go well.
Leopardstown 1.55
The exciting LOSSIEMOUTH is out again and she will be hoping to win this before heading to the Triumph unbeaten at Cheltenham next month. This filly has a relentless way about her and she kept on strongly again to win head in chest over C&D when last seen on Boxing Day. That wasn’t a weak race either with both the second Gala Marceau and third Nusret well regarded. She is just so strong at the latter stages of her races and it is hard to find any chinks in her armour once more here. Difficult to oppose.
Gala Marceau is in opposition again but her stablemate has some 7 and a half lengths to find and she is more exposed on her French form. She will probably run well again but hard to see how she closes that gap let alone reverses the form. Tekao is also a stablemate to the selection and while he impressed beating Ascending here last time he is going to need to improve a fair bit on that bare form to get competitive. Gust Of Wind likely also has a bright future but on jockey bookings is down the pecking order.
Leopardstown 2.30
This is usually the race Willie Mullins uses for his main contender for the Arkle. The winner of this race will likely be Jonbon’s biggest rival on the day. APPRECIATE IT in my opinion is the Mullins first string in the Arkle after two easy wins to start his chase campaign. He was a top class winner of the Supreme two years ago before having plenty of setbacks. He still ran a cracker in the Champion Hurdle with no prep run. He for me is the best horse in here and will take all the beating with Townend jocked up.
Stablemate Dysart Dynamo has always been held in high regard but hasn’t done it at the top level yet and can’t fully be trusted despite a good start over fences. Banbridge for me is the main danger with his easy win over Tommy’s Oscar a really good performance and he might put his experience to good use back down in trip. Of the rest El Fabiolo who is another stablemate to the favourite won by 19 lengths on chase debut but he didn’t face much competition and this will be a sterner test of his credentials.
Leopardstown 3.05
They continue to run scared of GALOPIN DES CHAMPS with Willie Mullins saddling 5 of the 7 runners. It really is an embarrassment of riches and you’d be foolish to oppose the favourite as he’ll be looking to win this before having a crack at the main event at Cheltenham next month for which he is a clear favourite at 13/8. He seems to possess a perfect blend of speed and stamina and he should be a joy to watch here. Kemboy likes to race up there but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him right up with the speed.
I am still a big fan of STATTLER despite him suffering defeat last time. He will be staying on well here and I know the market is suggesting it but he is definitely the one to back if you are looking at the market without the favourite. I was surprised to see Even money without the jolly so I’ll definitely be backing that. If he runs well here he will likely be the yards second string in the Gold Cup next month so fingers crossed. Fury Road showed a good attitude to win a Grade 2 at Down Royal and wasn’t disgraced in the Savills Chase.
Leopardstown 3.40
I am gutted Cool Survivor isn’t running in this as thought he would have a big chance but he’s now running in the first race instead which looks a tough ask for him. PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS back on better ground is a worthy favourite despite getting beaten here last time in soft conditions. He went close off a mark of 123 before that and off just 2lb higher I expect a big run with his trainer Gavin Cromwell in such good form. I am a big fan of Mark Walsh and I can see him smuggling him into this before being produced late.
There are plenty of dangers with Maxxum really impressing on his last two runs and is up 18lb as a result but he did beat the selection a long way last time (selection 19lb better off here). Of the rest Blue Sari and Max Flamingo are interesting switching back to hurdles form much higher chase marks. Blue Sari was second to Gaelic Warrior at Clonmel when last seen and if you’re looking for a place bet may well be the one. Jungle Prose was handed a stiff task last time and will find this easier at least.
Leopardstown 4.10
This is arguably the most competitive race of the day on Day 1 of the DRF so I’ve backed two against the field. I like the chances of GET MY DRIFT in the McManus silks. He has been highly tried in 3 starts over fences finishing behind the likes of Hollow Games earlier in the season and Appreciate It at Punchestown last time. He is dropped into handicap company now off a mark of 130 and it would be no surprise if he was ready to strike. The market will prove informative but I’d rather have him on side than be against.
I’m also going to have an each way saver on FILS D’OUDAIRIES for Gordon Elliott. This horse really should have more wins to his name than he does but back over fences and freshened up since his last run I think he can go better than the 9/1 suggests. Plenty of dangers with Final Orders probably heading them having won his last four in a row. Another 9lb rise is going to ask more of him though and the fear is something will have a bit in hand of their mark whereas I’m not sure he does now. Rebel Gold is also feared.
Leopardstown 4.40
William Mullins has won 4 of the 5 runnings of this race unleashing superstars (Facile Vega won this last season). I am not sure if this is a horse as good as some of the previous winners in here but FASCILE MODE could be pretty smart. He made his debut over Christmas at the track with a nice win in a very good bumper. Horses usually improve plenty between runs and he could be tough to beat in this. It looks competitive but I was actually pleasantly surprised to see 3/1 as Facile Vega won it at 8/11 last year.
Willie Mullins likely runs quite a few in this and I think Fact To File will be the main danger. He won nicely over further and I can seem him coming home really strongly. Of the rest Better Days Ahead is fancied in the market but I am not sure how good he is yet and others might have more improvement to come. Chosen Witness won by 10 lengths when well backed at Limerick and is another one who could be hard to peg back if getting into a rhythm up with the speed. This will throw up tons of future winners I’m sure.
Dublin Racing Festival Lucky 15
The DRF kicks off on Saturday with 7 exciting races and as I will be in attendance I have decided to back this Lucky 15 which looks a decent price. Pays 480/1!
Dublin Racing Festival Lucky 15
Leopardstown 1.20 Weveallbeencaught
Leopardstown 3.40 Perceval Legallois VALUE TIP
Leopardstown 4.10 Get My Drift
Leopardstown 4.40 Fascile Mode
Pays 480/1!
Dublin Racing Festival Win Treble
There are some potential superstars running in Ireland on Saturday too and I have combined them to make what I see as a really solid treble. Let me know on Twitter if you’re following me in on this. Pays 4/1!
