Last Updated: 16:24, 05/02/23

Gaelic Warrior puts in an impressive display to give Willie Mullins another winner

16:24 Sunday

Gaelic Warrior wins easily to land the Liffey Handicap Hurdle and give Willie Mullins his seventh winner for the Dublin Racing Festival.

After that impressive display the five-year-old has shortened to 4/1 and 3/1 for the Supreme Novice Hurdle and Ballymore Novices Hurdle respectively. 

Facile Vega loses to Il Etait Temps 

15:54 Sunday

If Blue Lord losing was one shock for Day Two of the Dublin Racing Festival, we've just had another one, with heavy favourite Facile Vega finishing last and losing to Il Etait Temps.

Facile Vega was the heavy favourite for the Supreme Novice Hurdle at 1/1 but because of that shock defeat at Leopardstown, it has opened up the Supreme Novice Hurdle. The six-year-old has now drifted to 5/1 and Marine Nationale becoming the new favourite at the best price of 4/1.

Mares Hurdle for Honeysuckle?

15:34 Sunday

Honeysuckle owner Kenny Alexander mentions the Mares' Hurdle as a possible destination after defeat in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

State Man wins the Irish Champion Hurdle

15:23 Sunday

State Man takes the Irish Champion Hurdle and beats three-time champion Honeysuckle who finished second. 

State Man has now shortend to 5/2 for the Champion Hurdle where the six-year-old looks set to take on odds-on-favourite Constitution Hill.

Honeysuckle put in a valiant effort but finished second and is now drifting for the Champion Hurdle, you can back the mare at the best price of 14/1. 

The Bosses Oscar qualifies for the Pertemps 

15:13 Sunday

Four horses had the opportunity to qualify for the Pertemps Hurdle and Brandy Mcqueen, Coltor, The Bosses Oscar & Wakool all took that chance. Brandy Mcqueen was the pre-race favourite and delievered with a first-place finish. 

The Bosses Oscar was 40/1 to win but third place is good enough for the eight-year-old to qualify and he has now moved from 20/1 to 14/1 for the Pertemps at Cheltenham. 

Gordon Elliot & Davy Russell strike again at Leopardstown 

14:59 Sunday

Gordon Elliot & Davy Russell already have one winner today at the Dublin Racing Festival with Mighty Potter and the pair struck again with a win in the Bulmers Leopardstown Handicap Chase with 10/1 The Goffer coming first. 

Indigo Breeze also ran and has drifted to 14/1 for the Ultima Handicap. 

Blue Lord fails audition for wide open Champion Chase

14:24 Sunday

Blue Lord was well beaten by Gentleman De Mee in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown, having gone off as short as 2/11 for the race.

The eight-year-old has now drifted from 7/2 to a best price 10/1 for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, while Gentleman De Mee is now as short as 5/1 having started the day as long as 66/1.

 

Mighty Potter mightily impressive at Leopardstown

13:57 Sunday

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old beat the battalion of Willie Mullins horses to win the Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. He is as short as 5/4 with some bookmakers for the Turners at Cheltenham.

Afadil makes it 2/2 over hurdles at Musselburgh

13:34 Sunday

Paul Nicholls' Afadil has made it 2/2 from hurdles with a win in the opener at Musselburgh. The four-year-old has now been cut to as short as 10/1 for the Triumph Hurdle. 

Has the standard finally caught up with Honeysuckle?

13:22 Sunday

Ryan Summerville (@ryanOTHx) told us: "Honeysuckle has been amazing, a dual Champion Hurdle winner and unbeaten for 16 races. It’s an amazing career. However, the proof is in the form and I think (through no fault of her own) she found an incredibly week time in the 2m hurdle division. 

"Her Champion Hurdle wins came against the likes of Sharjah, Zanahyir, Epatante, Saint Roi and Aspire Tower. She’s never really had to face a true top class 2m hurdler. 

"Honeysuckle career peak performances came in March and April 2021 when recording two 165 RPRs, since then she’s only gone above 160 once.

"Compare that with State Man (4/1 best price for Cheltenham) who’s last three career runs have been 158 - 165 - 168 he’s clearly a fast inproving horse who’s likely the best horse Honeysuckle has had to race against."

Mighty Potter vs Mullins five kicks off Day 2 Grade 1's

13:16 Sunday

Going into today, Mighty Potter is a best price 3/1 for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Selected Cheltenham prices for the other Ladbrokes Novice Chase runners:

 

Paul Townend has four favourites for Day 2 of the DRF

09:52 Sunday

Maxxum drifts for the Pertemps after losing to Perceval Legallois

15:54 Saturday

Maxxum was highly tipped to win at the Dublin Racing Festival but failed to live up to the hype with a middle-of-a-pack finish. Perceval Legallois has shortened for the Pertemps Network Final but can still be found at a best price of 8/1. Maxxum has the same best price having started the weekend at 4/1.

Galopin Des Champs unmoved for the Cheltenham Gold Cup

15:21 Saturday

Galopin Des Champs was largely unmoved at the top of the market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup (best price 15/8 from 13/8 at the start of the day) after landing the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival in solid but unspectacular fashion.

Stattler showed up well in second to strengthen his position in the top three of the ante-post market for Cheltenham (13/2), while Fury Road secured a top three finish for Architect Tips at 13/8.

El Fabiolo the biggest threat to Jonbon in the Arkle?

14:52 Saturday

El Fabiolo is as short as 2/1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham with some bookmakers (best price 11/2). Jonbon remains the best price 13/8 ante-post favourite.

Ballygrifincottage misfires on Brown Advisory prep run

14:50 Saturday

A 10/1 chance for the Brown Advisory before the race, Ballygrifincottage jumped poorly before being pulled up in the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby. He has gone out to 33/1 for the race at Cheltenham, while race winner City Chief is now as short as 7/1 for the National Hunt Chase.

Elliott's first Sandown winner as short as 3/1 for Brown Advisory

14:32 Saturday

Gerri Colombe was a winner for Gordon Elliott on the trainer's eighth attempt at Sandown. The seven-year-old's Scilly Isles' win has seen him cut from 12/1 to 10/1 for the National Hunt Chase and 15/2 best price from 8/1 for the Brown Advisory (as short as 3/1 with one bookmaker).

Lossiemouth beaten at Leopardstown

14:05 Saturday

The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old has drifted quickly from a best price of 4/11 to 9/4 with one bookmaker for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The race winner at Leopardstown, Gala Marceau, is in from 10/1 at the start of the day to as short as 7/2.

No Saturday DRF clean sweep for Willie Mullins

13:33 Saturday

There will be no clean sweep for Willie Mullins in the Saturday Grade 1's at the Dublin Racing Festival after Good Land scored for Barry Connell in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices Hurdle. Having started the day at 12/1, the seven-year-old is now as short as 4/1 for the Ballymore.

A comfortable win at Sandown for Chasing Fire

12:42 Saturday

Chasing Fire claimed an emphatic win in the Sandown opener. The six-year-old made it three from three over hurdles, shortening from 20/1 to 12/1 (still a best price 20/1) with some bookmakers for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. 

American Mike is a non-runner for opener at Leopardstown

10:41 Saturday

Andy Holding & Steve Ryder on today's jam-packed action

10:21 Saturday

oddschecker tipster Andy Holding is currently +38pts in profit for 2023 at the time of writing and has eight tips for today's action, including his NAP at Leopardstown. Click here to read more.

Steve Ryder is also on hand to help. Ryder picked up two winners yesterday at the best price of 10/3 & 7/4 and has three tips for today's action at Leopardstown, including a 2pt e/w NAP. Click here to read more.

A blockbuster Saturday ahead in Dublin

16:08 Friday

Some of the key Cheltenham stories to watch out for on Saturday at Leopardstown.

  • Lossiemouth tests credentials for the Triumph
  • Leading Mullins trio continue build-up to the Arkle
  • Can Stattler trouble the Gold Cup favourite?
  • Pertemps favourite goes in the Handicap Hurdle
  • Champion Bumper challenge for Fascile Mode?

 

Mighty Potter to strengthen position for the Turners?

13:04 Friday

Gordon Elliott's Mighty Potter is the best price 5/4 favourite for the 13:40 at Leopardstown on the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival. He goes against five Willie Mullins trained runners in the Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Going into the race, Mighty Potter is the 3/1 ante-post favourite for the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, joined in the top three by Appreciate It (7/2) and James Du Berlais (7/1) - one of his five opponents on Sunday.

Supreme outsider Chasing Fire bound for Sandown

11:43 Friday

Chasing Fire, a 20/1 shot for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, has been declared for the 12:35 Virgin Bet Novices' Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday. He also had an entry for the Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Musselburgh on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, The Bosses Oscar (142), Bardenstown Lad (141) and Jaycean (134) are the three Irish runners in Sunday's qualifier for the Pertemps Network Final at the same track.

Blue Lord to stake Champion Chase claims

10:39 Friday

Editeur Du Gite's win over Edwardstone and Energumene in the Clarence House Chase served to shake up the Champion Chase ante-post market for the Cheltenham Festival.

This weekend, Blue Lord (best price 7/2) gets his chance. Gentleman De Mee, Sceau Royal, Dunvegan and Fastorslow complete the five-runner field for the Dublin Chase.

Facile Vega takes on six in Supreme prep run

10:32 Friday

Facile Vega is 5/6 best price for the Festival opener. What price on Sunday evening?

Mighty Potter takes on the Mullins five

10:29 Friday

Six have been declared for the 2m5f Grade 1 Novice Steeplechase on Sunday (seven don't make the final cut). Five are trained by Willie Mullins, with Gordon Elliott's Mighty Potter the sole exception.

Gaelic Warrior goes in the Handicap Hurdle

10:25 Friday

Gaelic Warrior had been entered in both the Liffey Handicap Hurdle (runs with top weight 11st 10) and the Tattersalls Novice Hurdle at the five-day stage.

All six declared for Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle

10:17 Friday

  • State Man - EVS
  • Honeysuckle - 7/4
  • Vauban - 3/1
  • Pied Piper - 33/1
  • Zanahiyr - 50/1
  • Takarengo - 250/1

Johnny Ward's latest oddschecker Super Service column

09:28 Friday

Which horse stays at home this weekend but has run three times in what used to be the Foxhunters at Cheltenham (now the Hunters Chase), finishing second or first each time?

Ward has picked out an overreactive Cheltenham price in his latest 'Irish View' column for the oddschecker Super Service. To start receiving the email updates and read his columns in full, click HERE to sign up to oddschecker for FREE.

Architect's Irish Gold Cup Tips & Preview

14:49 Thursday

Architect Tips finds it hard to oppose Galopin Des Champs, who could be odds on at Cheltenham if he produces another big display in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Read his full race preview and best bets, which includes a 'top 3 finish' chance with excellent claims outside the market's clear top two.

Honeysuckle goes for four Irish Champion Hurdle wins

14:44 Thursday

Townend takes the favourite for the Irish Arkle

13:43 Thursday

Appreciate It is a best price 2/1 to win the race (worst price 6/4).

Most backed treble for Saturday at Leopardstown

13:05 Thursday

Click here to back the treble through oddschecker for best price!

Speaking of Lossiemouth...

12:16 Thursday

No Blood Destiny in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle

10:39 Thursday

What price will Lossiemouth be for the Triumph by Saturday evening?

Pertemps favourite Maxxum remains in the Handicap Hurdle

10:31 Thursday

For those not yet signed up to oddschecker and receiving the Super Service emails throughout the week, Andy Holding took part in a Q&A with Johnny Ward and suggested that Gordon Elliott's Maxxum will win the Pertemps Network Final at Cheltenham if he gets there in one piece.

You can see the full list of Saturday declarations below.

Mullins' way of picking his Cheltenham plan?

10:21 Thursday

The star trainer does indeed have FIVE in the Irish Arkle.

El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle?

10:14 Thursday

El Fabiolo had an entry for both Saturday's Irish Arkle and Sunday's Novice Chase.

The eight that remained in the Dublin Racing Festival's Irish Arkle at the five-day stage were Appreciate It, Banbridge, Dysart Dynamo, El Fabiolo, Flame Bearer, Saint Roi, Visionarian and Fil Dor.

Galopin Des Champs vs Stattler is on

10:07 Thursday

Seven have been declared for the Irish Gold Cup.

  • Any Second Now
  • Franco De Port
  • Fury Road
  • Galopin Des Champs
  • Kemboy
  • Stattler
  • The Big Dog

A reminder that Gordon Elliott's Conflated has not been entered with the yard nervous about the ground and so saving him for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. He is a best price 12/1 for the Festival's blue riband event (worst price 10/1).

Gerri Colombe declared for the Scilly Isles at Sandown

09:04 Thursday

The Gordon Elliott trained seven-year-old is a best price 6/4 to win the race at 2:20 on Saturday, 7/1 for the National Hunt Chase and 8/1 for the Brown Advisory.

Got a question for Andy Holding and Johnny Ward?

17:00 Wednesday

Andy Holding and Johnny Ward will be answering questions you may have on The Betting Show on Oddschecker's Youtube account. Reply to the tweet below to send your questions in to them!

Mullins to dominate Grade 1's at the DRF?

14:11 Wednesday

Architect Tips previews the Dublin Racing Festival

09:47 Wednesday

Architect Tips has the latest on all the key Dublin Racing Festival stories, especially those with clear implications for ante-post betting at the Cheltenham Festival.

  • American Mike and Sandor Clegane appeal most in the opener
  • Willie Mullins holds the aces in the Spring Juvenile
  • Saint Roi a good outside bet for the Irish Arkle
  • Which star will emerge from the Future Stars bumper? 
  • Is the Dublin Chase a penalty kick for Blue Lord?
  • Inthepocket the each-way value against Facile Vega

 

Can Shishkin challenge Allaho in the Ryanair?

09:36 Wednesday

A pair of big Elliott chances in the handicaps

16:28 Tuesday

Who will emerge as the Irish threat to Constitution Hill?

14:32 Tuesday

The legendary Honeysuckle retains an entry for Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Can she beat a star-studded field and prove herself as the biggest Cheltenham Champion Hurdle threat to huge favourite Constitution Hill?

Runner Irish CH Best Price Cheltenham CH Best Price
State Man 5/4 4/1
Honeysuckle 15/8 8/1
Vauban 10/3 9/1
Pied Piper 33/1 66/1
Zanahiyr 50/1 100/1
Takarengo 250/1 N/A

 

What will we learn about Facile Vega on Sunday?

14:14 Tuesday

Facile Vega is the best price 5/6 favourite for the Festival opener in March. He could go against eight in the Tatterstalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Andy Holding and Johnny Ward answer your questions

14:05 Tuesday

  • Are there any realistic British-trained challengers to Facile Vega?
  • Who are the 'bankers' for the Cheltenham Festival?
  • Should there be a limit on declarations per race per stable?

 

For their answers to these questions and more, you need to be signed up to oddschecker. You can create your free account HERE to join our Super Service.

Mullins keeps us guessing with El Fabiolo

13:58 Tuesday

El Fabiolo may not join the Willie Mullins army in Saturday's Irish Arkle, as he retains an entry for the Novice Chase on Sunday. Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo, Flame Bearer and Saint Roi are expected to line up on Saturday, led off by 5/4 favourite Appreciate It, who is third favourite for the Arkle Chase. 

Goshen finishes a distant third at Lingfield Park

13:44 Tuesday

NRNB Festival wide for bet365 & Supreme W/O Facile Vega

12:50 Tuesday

Andy Holding on the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham

11:12 Tuesday

"The 3m novice hurdle division has caught fire in recent weeks including a shortening UK contender, but the Irish retain a strong hand at the top of the market."

The latest Andy Holding 'Clock Watch' column has landed on the oddschecker Super Service - you can sign up for the Super Service free HERE.

In our Super Service, you will find exclusive insight from both Holding and Johnny Ward, as well as prize giveaways and access to exclusive events – including a Huntingdon Race Day and a live showing of Racing Weekly in the week before Cheltenham.

Goshen gets another go over fences

09:45 Tuesday

Seven-year-old Goshen for Gary Moore goes in the 1:15 at Lingfield today (EVS). He is a best price 50/1 (worst price 25/1) for the Stayers' Hurdle in March.

A reminder of what we learned on Cheltenham Trials Day

15:50 Monday

Architect Tips has you covered with more on all of the following headlines:

  • Comfort Zone & Scriptwriter enhance Triumph Hurdle credentials 
  • Stage Star books ticket with great weight-carrying performance
  • Back On The Lash back to winning ways in the Cross Country
  • Editeur Du Gite enters the changing Champion Chase picture 
  • II Ridoto strikes on great day for Paul Nicholls
  • Rock My Way gives trainer Syd Rosie a memorable success 
  • Gold Tweet’s victory opens up the Stayers’ Hurdle division

Racing Weekly: Dublin Racing Festival Preview

14:35 Monday

Sam Turner and Andy Holding join stand-in host Steve Ryder to look ahead to the Dublin Racing Festival before reviewing the action from Cheltenham Trials Day over the weekend.

Later in the show, the chaps focus on the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival 2023 with a long-view of what the race might hold come March.

Sign up to oddschecker’s brand new Cheltenham Super Service in the build up to the festival HERE. In our Super Service, find exclusive insight from Andy Holding and Johnny Ward, as well as market movers, news, giveaways and even access to exclusive events – including a live showing of Racing Weekly in the week before Cheltenham.

Princess Zoe makes solid start over hurdles

14:10 Monday

Princess Zoe runs, a former Prix Du Cadran winner on the flat from October 2020 who holds an entry for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival (best price 25/1), made a successful debut over hurdles today at Punchestown - sharing the spoils after a dead heat with Ladybank!

Gerri Colombe gets Sandown entry

12:30 Monday

Gerri Colombe, the Gordon Elliott trained seven-year-old with a single figure best price for two of the novice chases at the Cheltenham Festival, has been entered in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday. He is 7/1 for the National Hunt Chase and 8/1 for the Brown Advisory.

Career-ending tendon injury for Dixon Cove

11:04 Monday

Dixon Cove was 16/1 with one bookmaker for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before a 3rd place finish in Saturday's trial. The winner of that race, Comfort Zone, is now the 10/1 third favourite for the Triumph in March behind Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny.

Most backed Cheltenham Festival bets over the weekend

10:22 Monday

The biggest battles we might see at Leopardstown

10:04 Monday

 

How much should we take from this weekend's DRF?

09:20 Monday

Eyes of the racing world will be on the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) at Leopardstown this weekend, where some of the sport's biggest names will be on show.

Hiddenvalley Lake, Good Land, Lossiemouth, Blood Destiny, Dysart Dynamo, Appreciate It, Galopin Des Champs, Stattler, Mighty Potter, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Blue Lord, Facile Vega, Impaire Et Passe, State Man, Honeysuckle, Vauban and Gaelic Warrior are among those with entries.

However, 13 of the 18 Irish trained winners at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival did not run at the DRF. The five that did were Honeysuckle, Sir Gerhard, Delta Work, Facile Vega and Vauban. 

Trials Day underperformers - can they bounce back?

09:00 Monday

Energumene, Paisley Park, Protektorat, Chemical Energy and Bob Olinger were probably the biggest name underperformers on Cheltenham Trials Day at Prestbury Park. 

So, how did the Festival markets react?

Noble Yeats gets perfect Gold Cup trial

08:40 Monday

Ryan Summerville (@ryanOTHx) said: "I thought the Cotswold Chase showcased Noble Yeats as the best potential Gold Cup candidate. Ahoy Senor has some engine but he won’t get away with the jumping errors in the big race. 

"Noble Yeats was outpaced when the race kicked into gear but he stayed on strongly up the hill. That put to bed any questions about his course form and it looked the perfect trial for March. I am surprised he hasn’t been clipped in a bit as 8/1 looks a bit big after that run."