STAR RACING PREVIEW Sat: Dublin Racing Festival

A top class day of racing awaits at the Dublin Racing Festival, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI. With four Grade 1 contests, a Grade 2 bumper and a couple of uber competitive handicaps to get stuck into there’s something for everyone and we’re all set fair for great action, starting with the opening staying novice hurdle, a race that was most informative last year.

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1.15pm Leopardstown – Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m6f (2m6f53y)

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The early betting support has been for Final Demand, who was a deeply impressive winner at Limerick over Christmas when beating Timmy Tuesday, a next time out winner off 118 on handicap debut next time whilst the third placed finisher there also went in next time. He has huge and obvious potential but could well be drawn into a slog against other contenders who have done plenty in a short space of time, including stablemates Supersundae and Sounds Victorious.

Supersundae was pitched into the deep end on his stable debut when a creditable seventh in the circumstances, and it was no surprise that he landed a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle with the minimum of fuss next time out, and he ran with huge credit when second in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Hurdle behind The Yellow Clay.

Having pulled hard early, he faded late on extremely testing ground but he was a clear second to one of the best hurdlers seen in Ireland this season and there’s every chance that he can do better today in a first-time hood. That experience ought to see him improved here and it would not be a surprise if he was able to make Final Demand and the rest of the field pull out all the stops.

Another Closutton inmate who could benefit for today’s test is Sounds Victorious, who was fourth (behind Jasmin De Vaux) in the Champion Bumper before finding what was a speedier test at Punchestown too quick in the Festival bumper. He was turned over on his hurdling debut at a short price when good ground probabaly didn’t suit him and he showed good attitude and stamina to make amends on New Year’s Day, despite a relatively sloppy round of jumping once again.

That form and his jumping will need to improve but he will be sure to appreciate a step up in trip and softer ground, and looks overpriced considering those factors, with every reason for him to benefit if they get racing too early.

Of the others, Jasmin De Vaux simply must improve his hurdling, I Am Lorenzo will enjoy this trip, Joystick will benefit from any rain and may still need it softer whilst World Of Fortunes didn’t give her running last time and could be overpriced.

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1.50 Leopardstown – Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo)2m

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This is a key Triumph trial which should tell us which of the Irish contenders has the best hope of taking on a daunting British challenge in the shape of Lulamba and East India Dock.

Any contender will do well to get close to that pair but it’s a good race in it’s own right and Lady Vega Allen may come out best. She was just beaten by Hello Neighbour in a Grade 2 over Christmas here (Sony Bill seven lengths behind in third), when we only saw her just fail to grab Gavin Cromwell’s charge after fluffing the last slightly, when sent off 10/1 at a period where many of the yard’s best horses didn’t fire.

Today’s softer ground may well suit her, and given the circumstances, it could be argued she’s value at a bigger price than Hello Neighbour here, and that form is a step up on what favourite Saint Lucie has achieved. Paul Townend’s ride obviously has to be respected and has more under the bonnet, but Lady Vega Allen should give a great run for our money.

Wendrock and Galileo Dame the 1-2 in a good 3yo juvenile hurdle here over Christmas, need respect with Wendrock possibly overpriced here considering that he had two lengths in hand over Galieo Dame last time out.

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2.25 Leopardstown – Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+)2m1f

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What is sure to be a fascinating and informative renewal of the Irish Arkle with the betting dominated by Majborough and Ile Atlantique, both impressive winners last time. Ile Atlantique’s impressive defeat of Firefox and Inthepocket at Naas in the Lightning Novices’ Chase is the standout performance of the field on form (over fences) and he’s probably the marginal value between the pair, although he’s been backed from 5/2 into 15/8 and this may be a watching brief, with ante-post plays for the Arkle maybe a sensible plan if one has a confident view between the two.

Firefox will be suited if Touch Me Not goes forward to make a strong pace whilst Jeannot Lapin has lots of potential but takes a huge step up here.

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3.30 Leopardstown – Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 3m½f (3m70y)

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All things being equal, it’s hard to see Galopin Des Champs being beaten. He was outstanding here at Christmas when beating Fact To File by seven lengths in the Savils Chase, furthering his brilliant record over course and distance, and whilst Fact To File compromised his chances that way in the ring and early on in the race, it’s hard to see what change in tactics could leave to a reversal of that result. The rest of the field have it all to do on form – the ground has gone against Hewick, it’s hard to split Embassy Gardens and Monty’s Star but both have it all to do on a line through Fact To File, Inothewayurthinkin has 15 lengths to make up and the rest have not made an impression this year. A reverse forecast between the top two looks to be by far the best bet.

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Best of the rest

The handicap blot of the weekend on paper is Meetingofthewaters in the listed 3m handicap hurdle at 2.25, but he’s been found in the market and there’s little appeal to take such a short price about a horse in a 26 runner handicap hurdle. Paddy Power Chase winner Perceval Legallois is one of many horses who catch the eye each/way, including King Alexander, King of Hope and Gaoth Chuil.

The market looks to have things right in focusing on Midnight It Is, Captains Nephew and My Mate Mozzie in the Ryanair Handicap Chase (4.05), with Shanbally Kid being well handicapped but having major questions to answer over his jumping.

It was hard to weigh up the closing bumper. Green Splendour made most appeal on paper but better ground would have been encouraging for his chances and there’s enough potential here to leave the race as a watching brief, with He Can’t Dance and I Started A Joke catching the eye.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Supersundae in the 1.15 at Leopardstown 1pt each/way at 11/2 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Sounds Victorious in the 1.15 at Leopardstown 1pt each/way at 14/1 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Lady Vega Allen in the 1.50 at Leopardstown 1pt win at 7/2 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Galopin Des Champs/Fact To File Reverse Forecast in 3.00 at Leopardstown 3pts with starsports.bet

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PROFIT/LOSS (FEB 2025): 0.00 POINTS

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