Dublin Racing Festival Preview - DigiRacing

Happy Dublin Racing Festival & it seem quite a few races between water since I tipped up The Jukebox Man for the King George. 

I hope some of you followed my lead in what was one of the best races we have experienced in decades.

Hopefully this weekend we see more racing we will be talking about in years to come. 

Ireland was hit with the end of Storm Chandra & as I type this more rain has come meaning it is a weekend for mud larks.

A race that seen the defeat of Lossiemouth 3 years previous but bear in mind she did then go on to win the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. 

Two French bred’s will go head to head again with Narciso Has taking on Mange Tout. The latter beat Narciso Has at Fairyhouse but it was his first time putting hooves into Irish soil. Since then he was an eye watering 11 length winner at Leopardstown a little over 3 weeks ago in a Grade 2. 

As for Mange Tout she is unbeaten & gets the fillies allowance. Both horses have won on soft. Willie Mullins has 3 representing him in the race & if you were looking for each way value should anything go wrong for the two heading the market Selma De Vary & Bertutea have won on heavy. Narciso Has is my winner in here

Winner-Narciso Has

Galopin Des Champs goes for his fourth win in this race. Last year the crowds lifted the roof as himself & Paul hit the line. It was reminiscent of Faugheen in 2020 & the Danoli years. The crowds were six deep to try catch a glimpse of the horse. 

To me there is only one winner in the race & that is Galopin Des Champs. After a minor setback this season which led to him missing his regular season debut in the John Durkan at Punchestown, he returned a valiant 3rd at Leopardstown for the Savills Chase, merely a pipe opening setting him perfectly up for Saturday where once again the roof will be blown of Leopardstown with raucous cheers befitting of this champ by name & nature.

The each way value comes from I Am Maximus who also ran a valiant race when finishing 2nd in the Savills Chase at a massive price of 50/1. The Grand National winner of 2024 was somewhat on lucky in the run up to the finish when hampered by Affordale Fury. Post race Derek O’Connor was convinced he would have won on I Am Maximus has the horse not been hampered. At 12/1 he definitely lays each way claims & with Jack Kennedy on board who has only won for JP McManus last week he will be eager to get another win in the famous green & gold.

Winner-Galopin Des Champs
Each Way - I Am Maximus

A bumper with no Willie Mullins some may say is like a cheeseburger with no cheese but the Mullins camp is still represented with Patrick getting the leg up once again on Generous Risk. Gordon Elliott has 3 in the race which can always be risky for anyone having a punt & it’s Charismatic Kid that heads the market under Harry Swan. The horse likes soft ground & has since changed hands from Colm Ryan when winning at Navan back in November but it’s Generous Risk I am sticking with. He finished 2nd to Keep Him Company at Fairyhouse, Keep Him Company went on to win another bumper at Leopardstown at Christmas & is a very good horse in his own right. General Risk himself was 3rd at the venue at Christmas not beaten far. 

Saturday could finally be the day for this cliff horse if you like Keep Him Company you have to like him & being reunited with one of the best in the business is only instils me with confidence.

Win-Generous Risk

There are Two Handicaps on Saturday & are always good fun to try pick a winner in such big fields.

County Final has gone from strength to strength for Eric McNamara only beaten a neck at Limerick in a Grade 2. His form has also been franked from a previous race at Punchestown where he was 2nd to Kotkito Bello who has gone on to win again. Mark Walsh rides with a nice weight of 10”7lbs. 

A horse that could run into the placings here is Dippedinmoonlight for Emmet Mullins the son of Zarak has been knocking on the door for a while & his Jockey John Keneally takes a valuable 7lbs off.

Win-County Final
Each Way Dippedinmoonlight

Jacob’s Ladder comes off a mark of 143 in this race & looks a good horse for the contest. He came close to Kappa Jy Pyke at Punchestown & won his Beginners Chase before that. He won a Grade 3 hurdle back at Naas last year on heavy beating Joystick. The trip & ground will suit him well.

Should Gavin Cromwells be back to their best like we seen last week at Gowran, Addragoole has each way claims, he won a handicap chase here at Christmas & could go close again.Eoin Staples takes a valuable 5lbs off in this very deep race.

Win-Jacobs Ladder
Each Way Addragoole

Wishing you all winners☘️