Dublin Racing Festival 2022: what are the big races and how do I watch it?
All the essential information for the Leopardstown spectacular this weekend
It's nearly here! Irish racing's biggest names are setting their sights on the Dublin Racing Festival, a feast of top-class action across two days at Leopardstown featuring eight Grade 1 contests.
Held each February, there are seven races on the Saturday card, highlighted by the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, while Sunday showcases an eight-race fixture that is spearheaded by the prestigious Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.
When and where does the Dublin Racing Festival take place?
Since its inception in 2018, the Dublin Racing Festival has quickly become one of the most important meetings in the jumps calendar.
Scheduled for February 5 and 6 this year, the popular meeting is held at Leopardstown racecourse, one of Ireland's top tracks located just 8km south of the capital's city centre.
It all gets under way with the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (1.05) on Saturday before the Grade 2 Coolmore National Hunt Sires Santiago Irish EBF Mares Bumper (4.40) brings the curtain down on the weekend on Sunday.
The meeting's two most valuable races have been the focus of a scheduling change for the first time this year.
In a bid to ensure the best possible ground conditions for each race, the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, traditionally held on day two, swaps with the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle on day one.
Additionally, the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase and the Liffey Handicap Hurdle have been switched to the Sunday card, while the Glencullen Handicap Hurdle and Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle are now part of the Saturday schedule.
What are the main races and horses set to take centre stage over the weekend?
Day one: Saturday, February 5
Final fields for the big races won't be revealed until February 3 and 4 but the initial entries suggest we're set for a weekend of top-class action.
Paul Nicholls has suggested we could see Frodon target the Irish Gold Cup (3.15), a race that has the potential to feature Minella Indo and Kemboy, while the Henry de Bromhead-trained Journey With Me looks one of the most exciting youngsters entered for the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (1.05).
Gordon Elliott looks to have a strong team of four-year-old hurdlers this season and Fil Dor is a standout contender for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle (1.35).
Energumene blew his rivals away in the Irish Arkle (2.10) 12 months ago and his stablemate Blue Lord and Haut En Couleurs appear the most likely challengers to plunder the same prize this time around.
A potential clash between leading Champion Bumper contenders American Mike and Facile Vega would make for a thrilling end to day one of the meeting in the Goffs Future Stars Bumper (4.25).
Day two: Sunday, February 6
All eyes will be on Honeysuckle's bid for a remarkable third Irish Champion Hurdle (3.00) in a row.
Legendary hurdlers Istabraq and Hurricane Fly, who plundered the Leopardstown prize four and five times respectively, are the only horses to win the race on more than two occasions.
However, a potential return to the fray for Appreciate It, absent since bolting up in last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, would make the €200,000 contest a gripping affair.
Bob Olinger still holds an entry for the Ladbrokes Novice Chase (1.20), but it seems most likely that the deeply exciting Galopin Des Champs will be the standout player for the Grade 1 event.
Champion Bumper scorer Sir Gerhard is seemingly in line to put his Cheltenham credentials to the test in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (3.35), while Chacun Pour Soi could bid for a hat-trick of wins in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (1.50).
What trainers and jockeys will be competing at the Dublin Racing Festival?
Expect pretty much all of Ireland's leading trainers and riders to be in the thick of the action at the lucrative two-day festival.
Willie Mullins was in unstoppable form at last year's meeting when winning nine of the 15 races across the weekend and he is bound to have another strong squad this time around.
Top trainers Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead will be out in force and should give the Closutton maestro most to think about.
As for the jockeys, Paul Townend will have a quality hand at Leopardstown given his association with Mullins, while Rachael Blackmore, Jack Kennedy and Davy Russell are all likely to have leading chances over the Dublin extravaganza too.
How can I watch the racing and can I attend?
All 15 races at the Dublin Racing Festival will be aired on Racing TV, while ITV4 will broadcast seven races in total across the weekend – two on Saturday and five on Sunday – in shows broadcast from 1pm to 4pm on both days.
Irish terrestrial viewers can follow the action on RTE for the full weekend's action.
Saturday coverage on RTE1 runs from 12.55pm to 4.10pm, while day two of the meeting will be shown on RTE2 from 1.10pm to 4.35pm.
You can also watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for the red 'Watch live now' icon.
A record crowd of 26,474 descended on Leopardstown for the last pre-pandemic Dublin Racing Festival in 2020, but the pandemic forced the 2021 meeting behind closed doors.
Thankfully, this year's Grade 1 bonanza sees a welcome return for spectators, with an unrestricted crowd permitted following a recent easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland. Tickets are available to buy through Leopardstown's website.
Who should I bet on at the Dublin Racing Festival?
Have a look at the cards and check out our free bet offers to start with, then stay up to date with the Racing Post website, mobile app and newspaper for our expert betting advice and all the latest news in the run-up to the big weekend.
Read more on the Dublin Racing Festival:
Capacity crowds set to return for Dublin Racing Festival after measures eased
Three-horse trainer taking aim at big guns with Leopardstown bumper hope
Heaven Help Us camp not running scared of Honeysuckle clash at Leopardstown
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