The Betway ambassador runs through the cards for Saturday and Sunday at the Dublin Racing Festival and picks out the horses she has her eye on.
For regular readers of my blog, you’ll know I love the Dublin Racing Festival – two days of top-class racing where we generally see the best of Irish jump racing. Obviously, Willie Mullins will have plenty of winners as he always does, but regardless of who trains them, we’ll see some amazing horses.
SATURDAY
13:15
Willie looks almost certain to win the first, if you look at the betting, but I’ll oppose his first string with a few. Jasmin De Vaux was top drawer in the bumper last season, but impressed no one with his poor jumping over hurdles. I’m sure they’ll have schooled the brains off him now, and if he runs to the level of his ability, he can’t be far away. Patrick rides Supasundae, who will run well if he keeps improving, and I’ll make a note of Joystick, who is the outsider of the field as we speak now but will improve as he goes up in trip and with more racing under his belt.
14:25
I’m fascinated to see whether Meetingofthewaters is going to dot up or not. He is rated 148 over and runs here, over hurdles, off 112, which could make him the best handicapped horse of the century! As we all know, it doesn’t always work out that way, but it makes you look at the race with caution. Dad runs Gaoth Chuil, who is not without a chance. She’s still improving and rated 133, which is a lot higher than what she won off at Leopardstown in December 2023. She seems in good nick at home, and we’d like to think she’ll give her running and be competitive.
14:55
Majborough should be tough to beat in the Irish Arkle, but he’s young and inexperienced. Whatever he does, he should improve. Ile Atlantique impressed me last time and he’ll be the horse to give him the most to think about.
15:30
You’re not a racing fan if you’re not looking forward to Galopin Des Champs, who I cannot wait to see, in the Irish Gold Cup. He seems to be a different beast around Leopardstown and I, like everyone else, was mad impressed with him at Christmas. That may have been his best performance yet. These are horses and they can fool you, but on all known form he’s the class act who they all have to put up a career best to get close to.
16:35
Green Splendour looked very smart on his debut for Willie last time. I think he’s the one to beat. He moved well and stayed well and, to me, is going to be tough nut to crack. I also like Classical Creek, who finished third last time. I liked how he ran, especially with how he kept on through the line, and I think he’ll be bang there too.
SUNDAY
12:40
Sunday starts with a really competitive mares’ handicap hurdle. Last year’s winner Brucio might have been overlooked, looking at the betting. She did it well last year and caught my eye when travelling very well at Doncaster last time. This must have been the long-term plan and I can see her being there at the business end.
13:10
Like all of us, I’m looking forward to seeing Ballyburn go up in trip. He was put in his place by Sir Gino at Kempton, but that wasn’t a surprise as that trip and track would have been much too sharp for him. He’s always looked like a horse that will be better over further in time, so let’s hope he can excite us all in what looks an open division this year.
13:40
Unlike many years, there isn’t a standout novice hurdler at this point, but I’m sure we’ll have a much clearer picture after this. Kopek Des Bordes smashed almost every hurdle and still won last time, which is uncommon, so it’s no surprise to see him at the head of the market. Kaid d’Authie did it well last time and, like all of them, is still going to improve. As we haven’t seen much of them, it’s hard to make a call, but hopefully after the race, we’ll have a good idea of who is the best and who is going to be tough to beat heading into the spring festivals.
14:10
I’m taking on Gaelic Warrior in the Dublin Chase. He’s good on his day when he it falls right, but he’s not consistently top drawer. If he wins, fair play to him, but this isn’t an easy field to beat. El Fabiolo is rated higher, and I think is a more talented horse. I know it’s his first start of the year, but if this is Gold Cup, you can bet he’ll be bang-ready!
15:20
This is not Kempton and there is no Constitution Hill, so Lossiemouth will have an easier time of it than she did last time. We know she’s very good and looks to have improved again, and with the weight allowance she is going to be very hard to beat. I know everyone talks about Cheltenham, and don’t get me wrong, it is the place everyone in the sport wants to have winners at, but winning a race of this nature is still a massive achievement. If she won this and not at Cheltenham, it would still be a dream for connections. It’s a cracking ride for Danny, who has a brilliant record at this meeting.
15:50
Handicaps are always very tough to find winners at this level, but I have to say, I liked the way James’s Gate did it last time and I think he’ll end up with a higher mark than his current 136. He was with Willie as a young horse and did well, but has improved since joining the brilliant Martin Brassil. He worked at the Curragh last week and looked in good shape, so if the last day didn’t leave a mark, he should go well.
16:25
Ross runs Switch From Diesel in the last. She’s a lovely mare who finished second in the race last year. She will stay and she enjoy cut in the ground, so if the rain comes, she’ll be happy! No one really knows how good their bumper horses are, as they’re still learning, growing and developing, but she’s got solid form and has the ability to be competitive.
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