There are eight Grade 1s at the 2024 Dublin Racing Festival.
Last weekend, it was Cheltenham Trials Day and now Ireland have theirs; a two-day festival at Leopardstown racecourse with eight Grade 1’s. Although impressive performances by Sir Gino, Ginny’s Destiny, Noble Yeats and Lossiemouth shortened them up for their Festival races, now their market rivals take the stage to cement their positions.
Last year, six horses went on from Leopardstown to the win at March’s Cheltenham Festival. With Saturday’s card alone welcoming the Arkle, Turners, Gold Cup and Bumper favourites, it can be assumed we will see many more unearthed this weekend.
Dublin Racing Festival 2024 Entries
On Saturday, Arkle Chase favourite Marine Nationale looks to cement his claim in what is only his 2nd start over fences. Already a best priced 8/11 for March, Barry Connell’s stable star may potentially face tougher opposition on Saturday than at Cheltenham.
That comes in the shape of Turners Novices’ Chase favourite Gaelic Warrior who really is playing snakes and ladders over his distance. A Grade 1 winner over 3 miles at Punchestown last season, his blitzing front running display on debut prompted connections to run him over the intermediate trip at Limerick over Christmas.
Now, after an easy win there, he is entered to run over the minimum trip on Saturday. However, even victory here may still mean a trip to the Turners in March. This potential clash exemplifies that this weekend stands out on its own as a highlight of the year.
Although Galopin Des Champs is not odds on for the Cheltenham Gold Cup yet, best priced 11/10, he may be with victory in the Irish Gold Cup on Saturday. He looks set to meet his two time conqueror Fastorslow who will look to advertise his Gold Cup credentials with victory.
Despite twice beating Galopin Des Champs, there have been viable excuses for the Gold Cup winner both times and, as such, Fastorslow is priced as the outsider at 7/2 despite his head to head record.
On Sunday, El Fabiolo will look to further cement his Champion Chase claims after his market rival Jonbon was defeated in Saturday’s Clarence House chase. He is another who is already odds-on for Cheltenham.
State Man, meanwhile, is 1/3 to win the Irish Champion Hurdle for a second year in a row. Connections have been persistent with Impaire Et Passe who still remains over 2 miles, whilst impressive Relkeel winner Bob Olinger, who is a two time Festival winner himself, looks to put his Champion Hurdle claims on the line.
Dublin Racing Festival Dates
The Dublin Racing Festival is a two-day fixture that takes place on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th February. Racing commences at 13:20 on Saturday whilst Sunday’s first race is at 12:40.
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Dublin Racing Festival Tips
Although Sir Gino identified himself to many as the 2024 Triumph Hurdle winner, he doesn’t feature in Saturday’s Spring Juvenile.
However, Salvator Mundi (trained by Willie Mullins) was beaten less than two lengths by Henderson’s gelding at Auteuil and, also owned by the Donnellys, is entered to make his debut on Saturday for Willie Mullins. Yet, having not raced since, he can be passed over on his first start in nine months.
Unsurprisingly Mullins has all the other market leaders alongside Gigginstown’s Storm Heart - the ante post favourite with Bunting also available at 7/1.
Although both were wide margin winners on their Irish debut, neither time was particularly impressive and I pass them both over for Kargese who, although has been beaten, has experience at the top level. That came at Leopardstown over Christmas when she was a ¾ length 2nd to the reopposing Kala Conti in a Grade 2.
She was as keen off a slow pace, which proved fatal behind a race fit winner. However, running after a 220-day break would have contributed to her temperament and having got that first run under her belt, I’m expecting her to turn around the form on Elliott’s filly come Saturday.
Her sire Jeu St Eloi burst onto the scene last year with offspring It’s For Me being made favourite for the Champion Bumper after winning easily at Navan whilst Blueking D’Oroux won at competitive juvenile handicap at Ascot before finishing runner-up against older horses at Aintree. On Saturday, Kargese could better the above by winning a first Grade 1 for the stallion.
