DRF Preview - Day 1

we have another action packed weekend of racing on our hands as the Dublin Racing Festival gets underway at Leopardstown which is by far one of the best meetings in the calendar. A lot of people see this meeting as a 'stepping stone' to the Cheltenham Festival in March and although it can be a good indicator to what will happen in the spring, it's a cracking festival in it's own right and has always been the best place to see the top Irish superstars in action. We have 7 Races in total to go through on the first day so let get stuck straight in.

1.15 - Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle

The first Grade 1 of the festival as well as the first Willie Mullins short priced favourite kicks off the action over 2m6f. In fact, Willie has the first 4 in the betting and will be looking for a strong start to get his weekend underway. 

Final Demand is at the top of the market after impressively winning a Maiden Hurdle at Limerick over Christmas and although he seems to be the one to beat, you could also make a case for a couple others in here.

If I had to choose one to take on the favourite here I think I'd side with Sounds Victorious. He was very disappointing first time out this season being beaten in a Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown at odds of 2/5 however did manage to break his Maiden next time out and I think he could improve again from that run. To me he looks like an out and out stayer whose crying out for a longer trip so I think the further he goes the more he'll improve, so the extra 2 furlongs here than what he's used to should suit him. 

So again, Final Demand is definitely the one to beat here and on paper looks the most likely winner however I wouldn't put anyone off siding against him and at odds of 8/1 I think sounds Victorious could be a decent each-way bet.

1.50 - Gannon's City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle

With East India Dock and Lulamba doing the business in the UK over the last couple of weeks it's time for the Irish juvenile's to make their challenge in being top contenders for the Triumph Hurdle in March. 

Hello Neighbour and Lady Vega Allen are set for a rematch after coming head to head here at Christmas over course and distance, A contest where Hello Neighbour just about got his head in front as the pair of them pulled 11 lengths clear of the rest of the field. It's no surprise that these 2 are towards the top of the market on the back of that performance however I get the feeling they're going to run into one better as I believe Saint Lucie will take all the beating here.

She was so impressive in her first start for Willie Mullins at Punchestown just after Christmas and I just loved how she kicked on after jumping to last that day, She's a big mare with the size and scope to improve even more and I think she'll do just that here.

She's sired by The Great Pretender who also sired another Rich Ricci mare in the name of Lossiemouth- and she's not turned out to be too bad has she. 

Now I'm not saying she's as good as Lossiemouth was as a juvenile but I think it's fair to say Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci don't often get it wrong when it comes to their French imports so this is a mare that could be really exciting.

As I mentioned there are a couple of dangers and although 15/8 seems a bit skinny, I think Saint Lucie gets the job done!

14.25 - Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle

I wont spend too long on this one as again, I don't have a huge opinion in the race. The obvious talking point is of course Meetingofthewaters who makes a return back over hurdles and has been given a mark 32lbs lower than his chase mark so he looks absolutely chucked in here off a mark of 112. Having said all that backing a 13/8 shot in a 26 runner handicap does not appeal to me what so ever so I'll be more than happy to sit this one out from a betting perspective.

Perceval Legallois will be an interesting runner here as well coming off the back of a very impressive handicap chase win over course and distance last time out, so will be keeping an eye on him but as I said, It's not a race I'm willing to get stuck into but if I was to have a bet, It would be very hard to see past the mark of 112 given for Meetingofthewaters.

14.55 - Irish Arkle

It's taken a while but we've finally found ourselves a Willie Mullins odds on favourite in the shape of Marjborough. He was so impressive on chase debut and will only improve from that run, however I've got a feeling this will be a much stiffer test for the 5 year old and I imagine he wont have it all his own way like he did that day.

Ile Atlantique is amongst one of the challengers whose made a very impressive start to life over fences and he'd be a big threat to the favourite with Paul Townend taking the ride.

However the one at a price that I quite like in this would be Firefox for trainer Gordon Elliot. He seemed a lot more his former self when stepping back to 2 miles finishing 2nd to Ile Atlantique at Naas last time but he made a few mistakes that day, If they get him out in front early and allow him to get into a rhythm he could be one to hit the frame at least and at odds of 8/1 he could be a decent each-way play . Marjborough should be winning this race If he wants to challenge Sir Gino at the festival however at odds of 4/6 I wouldn't be steaming in to back him now but I do think he's a good selection to put in multiples over the weekend. 

15.30 - Irish Gold Cup

This one won't take long either I don't think so to put it simply... Galopin Des Champs just WINS!

He is practically unbeatable around Leopardstown and showed that again in the Savills Chase at Christmas over course and distance.

I suppose the big talking point in this race will be what tactics they use on Fact To File, he was very keen the last day against Galopin Des Champs and if he'd want any chance of laying a glove on the favourite they'll have to get him to settle a lot better, whether that's dropping him out the back in the early stages of the race or trying to go toe to toe with the dual Gold Cup winner I'm not too sure but I think both of these options will only have one outcome. 

Again it's a very short price and I'm not the one to get stuck in to heavy odds on favourites but will be another selection for the multiples that's for sure!

4.05 - Ryanair Handicap Chase

Another very competitive handicap with a fair few that have a good chance So I'm not going to spend too long on this one. The one I've picked out in this is An Peann Dearg for Paul Nolan. Coming off the back of a win at Christmas over course and distance I think He'll have a great chance of going close again here after being given a mark of 122.

He will have to improve again facing tougher opposition here including the likes of Midnight It Is and another course and distance winner in Fascile Mode but at odds of 17/2 I think he's a solid each-way play and can definitely see him hitting the frame at least. 

4.35 - Paddy Power I.N.H Flat Race

I would've been very keen on the Champion Bumper favourite Kalypso's Chance in this however after seeing him not being declared I cant really find a stand out as I'm looking through the market. At the start of the season trainer Gordon Elliot was very keen on He can't Dance when asked in an interview with Lets Talk Racing on which bumper horse he's most excited by coming into this season. He won last time out nicely enough however he won't be the only one in here looking to back up their win from Christmas with Willie Mullins trained Green Splendour as well as Calcannon for Noel Meade who hasn't been since since October but both bring some decent form coming into this. I'm going to side with He cant Dance here and can hopefully get the job done before we set up for day 2 of the Dublin Racing Festival.

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