DAVY RUSSELL: Dublin Racing Festival Reflections

Davy Russell reflects on the Dublin Racing Festival and looks for Cheltenham Festival clues …

That was a hell of a two days of racing with all the drama you might expect and more. I wasn’t there on Saturday but enjoyed working with RTE on Sunday. I’ve had a chance to reflect on the Grade One races and what it all means with Cheltenham now just five weeks away…

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SATURDAY

1.15pm Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

🏇 Looked very competitive on paper with the likes of last year’s Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux one of five for Willie. They jumped off and went a real good gallop with the winner FINAL DEMAND (pictured below) looking very smart. Going into this he was only a point-to-point and maiden hurdle winner, but he took that step up in his stride. He’s very well bred being out of Zuzka (who Willie trained) by Walk In The Park. He’s got plenty of options when it comes to Cheltenham with a drop back in trip to 2 ½ miles for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle being touted as the most likely assignment. I think it’s worth considering that part-owner Professor Caroline Tisdall has another leading hope for the Albert Bartlett in the shape of French raider Jet Blue. That may sway them towards the shorter race. That said he is so well behaved and professional he could easily do either. Gordon’s WINGMEN ran a real good race in second and it would be no surprise to see him head to the Albert Bartlett ? . He’s had the four runs over hurdles so would need another in a short space of time to go down the handicap route. JASMIN DE VAUX still seems to be let down by his jumping.

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1.50pm Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

🏇 The favourite SAINTE LUCIE was very free, and her Triumph Hurdle aspirations seem to have all but disappeared – it’s back to the drawing boards with her. You couldn’t have failed to have been impressed by the winner HELLO NEIGHBOUR (pictured below when taking the lead). He built on his blistering start to hurdling winning first time up in a Grade 2 at Christmas by scoring at the top level here. He raced more professionally, and his jumping was great as a he settled well under the hood. I’d say he’s still a bit to learn and he was still a little bit keen. He looks a classy horse with loads of stamina which will stand him in good stead in a Triumph Hurdle ? . The English hotpots Lulamba and East India Dock will know they have had a race when Hello Neighbour arrives in Cheltenham. Looking in behind, WILLY DE HOUELLE is slowly getting his act together and is getting better with every run. He could easily be one for the Boodles (Fred Winter) as he should step forward again.

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2.55pm Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1)

🏇 There is no getting away from the fact that MAJBOROUGH (pictured below) ran out a hugely impressive winner. What really impressed me was that despite not racing with the greatest of fluency and missing a couple of fences, he seemed to learn plenty during the race. In fact, from the third last home he got better and better. It was the way he adjusted himself at the last that caught my eye. He found a stride, landed and then extended all the way to the line. It was an impressive performance, and I see him as a huge threat to Sir Gino. He’s still got it to do to beat that lad, but I’d say he’ll give it a real good go ? .

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3.30pm Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

🏇 GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (pictured below) is an exceptional horse around Leopardstown. In all honesty he’s an exceptional horse around most tracks including Cheltenham! He just seems to be way better around Leopardstown that anywhere else. It was a good race. His jumping was faultless, and he and Paul were very assured throughout. The race was in the melting pot turning in with challengers on either side, but again he just showed his class and will to win. He picked up again at the back of the last and put a distance between himself and the others. FACT TO FILE ran well enough back in third and its harsh to describe it as a disappointing effort. I guess I was one of those as saw him as the genuine heir to Galopin’s crown last season and he hasn’t quite reached those heights. Take nothing away from Galopin who is as good a chaser as we’ve seen in Ireland for a long, long time. He’ll take some beating in the Gold Cup in Cheltenham. Looking back in fourth and I thought INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN ran a great race running on late. He’s in the Grand National and that looks the right race for him. He’s not actually in the Gold Cup but if it’s wet in the build-up don’t be surprised to see FACT TO FILE head to the Ryanair Chase ? and this lad may just be supplemented.

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SUNDAY

1.10pm Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1)

🏇 Another cracking race that saw BALLYBURN (pictured below) battle his way to victory against a gallant CROKE PARK. Paul (Townend) is going to have a tough decision when it comes to the Brown Advisory over three miles in Cheltenham. I don’t think BALLYBURN can make the running there and win and I feel he is a better horse when dropped in. He needs to relax a bit more which I think he can do. I was personally really impressed with CROKE PARK which is strange to say about a horse with two Grade 1’s under his belt already. Back up to three miles with some soft ground he’ll relish the Brown Advisory ? . Gordon also has Better Days ahead who was a non-runner on the day. Then we mustn’t forget that Willie has Dancing City to throw into the mix too. It’s all bubbling up to be a hell of a clash. Ballyburn may well be the best, but he needs to settle and Croke Park will give him a proper race again.

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1.40pm Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

🏇 What an extraordinary performance by KOPEK DES BORDES (pictured below). He’s basically run extremely free the whole way and I was just waiting for him to fall in a hole despite the fact that his jumping was good. However, he pricked his ears coming down to the second last and then jumped the last really well in total isolation. Listen, he didn’t have all the competition he’s going to face in Cheltenham as many of them sat this race out. Stablemate Salvator Mundi and Gordon’s Romeo Coolio are just two to mention. At the same time, he is a very talented horse but he will need to settle better to win a Supreme ? . If he does that, he will be pretty hard to stop.

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2.10pm Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1)

🏇 You have to have been very impressed by the way that SOLNESS just ran them all off their feet here to repeat his Christmas heroics. Danny (pictured below) gave him a lovely ride. You’d have to say it was no fluke as he has done it twice in a row now. However, I’m not sure Jonbon will be losing too much sleep in his box and would be very surprised if he doesn’t end up being crowned Champion two mile chaser. GAELIC WARRIOR just doesn’t seem to be suited to Leopardstown and might be interesting stepped up in trip for a Ryanair Chase ? as he was running on late.

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3.20pm Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

🏇 We were all set for a hell of a race with both STATE MAN and LOSSIEMOUTH still travelling comfortably before she crashed out. It sucked the life out of the race to be honest. To my eyes, STATE MAN (pictured below with connections) seemed to slow down when he lost his companion. Whether he was missing the company or whether he just wasn’t himself, I’m not sure. He didn’t show me enough to say he’s back, although you mustn’t forget the Willie Mullins factor. Constitution Hill ? remains the one to beat.

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Good Luck
Davy

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