Dublin Racing Festival: key Grade 1 entries plus a long-range tip

The two-day Dublin Racing Festival combines races that have enhanced the reputations of some of the sport's finest equine athletes, such as Arkle, Hurricane Fly, Moscow Flyer and Douvan. Below we look at the entries for the eight Grade 1s at Leopardstown.

Saturday, February 5

Two-time Grade 2 winner Blazing Khal, Ginto, who has already struck at the highest level and Journey With Me, who are all prominent in the markets for the Cheltenham Festival, have all been entered.

What happened last year:The race was won last year by Gaillard Du Mesnil, who went on to finish second behind Bob Olinger in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before landing the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in April.

Nathaniel Lacey Solicitors Novice Hurdle betting

Paddy Power: 5-2 Blazing Khal, Ginto, 11-4 Journey With Me, 7 Eric Bloodaxe, 8 Grand Jury, Hollow Games, 10 Minella Cocooner, Whatdeawant, 12 bar

Fil Dor, who heads the market for the Triumph Hurdle, is a standout entry for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott, who has also entered Ebasari, Pied Piper and The Tide Turns.

What happened last year: The Cheveley Park-owned Quilixios won at Leopardstown for Elliott before switching to the Henry de Bromhead yard and following up in the Triumph Hurdle last March.

Spring Juvenile Hurdle betting

Paddy Power: 8-11 Fil Dor, 7-2 Pied Piper, Vauban, 5 Icare Allen, 8 Ben Siegel, Ebasari, 33 bar

The Willie Mullins-trained Ferny Hollow, who remains unbeaten over fences, was among ten entries for the Irish Arkle. The trainer could have up to five runners in the Grade 1 as he has also entered Blue Lord, Jungle Boogie, Haute En Couleurs and Saint Sam.

What happened last year: Leading Champion Chase contender Energumene, who could take on Shishkin at Ascot this month, landed the Irish Arkle before winning a Grade 1 at Punchestown.

Irish Arkle betting

Paddy Power: 10-11 Ferny Hollow, 9-4 Blue Lord, 7-2 Haut En Couleurs, 6 Riviere d'Etel, Saint Sam, 10 bar

3.15: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, 3m½f

Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo was among 18 high-quality entries for the Irish Gold Cup. He could be joined by British contenders Clan Des Obeaux and Frodon, King George winner Torando Flyer and Galvin, who beat A Plus Tard in the Grade 1 Savills Chase in December.

What happened last year: Kemboy won the Irish Gold Cup but failed to make an impression when ninth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He had previously claimed the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup betting

Sponsor's odds: 3 Clan Des Obeaux, Minella Indo, 7-2 Kemboy, 4 Galvin, 9-2 Asterion Forlonge, 5 Frodon, 8 Melon, Tornado Flyer, 12 bar

Clan Des Obeaux: entered in the Irish Gold CupCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Sunday, February 6

Ballymore winner Bob Olinger, who could run in the Kildare Novice Chase at Punchestown this weekend, was among 18 entries. Elliott and Mullins are well represented with a combined ten entries. Top novice chaser Galopin Des Champs is also among the contenders.

What happened last year: Monkfish demolished the opposition at Leopardstown and followed up in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham before finishing second on his final start of the year.

Ladbrokes Novice Chase betting

Paddy Power: 4-6 Galopin Des Champs, 9-2 Bob Olinger, 11-2 Jungle Boogie, 13-2 Gaillard Du Mesnil, Fury Road, 8 bar

1.50: Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, 2m1½f

The Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen is one of three British entries for the Dublin Chase, which has attracted some top-quality horses, including Ryanair winner Allaho, last year's winner Chacun Pour Soi and Champion Chase contender Energumene for Mullins.

What happened last year: Chacun Pour Soi showcased his enormous potential when winning the Dublin Chase by eight lengths but failed to fully fire in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, finishing third.

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase betting

Paddy Power: 11-10 Chacun Pour Soi, 7-4 Energumene, 11-4 Greaneteen, 6 Captain Guinness, 8 Dunvegan, 10 bar

Honeysuckle is primed for her attempt to win the Irish Champion Hurdle for the third year in a row and could once again line up against last season's second Sharjah, who won his fourth Matheson Hurdle last month. Appreciate It is an intriguing entry after Willie Mullins abandoned plans to go novice chasing with last year's Supreme winner.

What happened last year: Honeysuckle extended her unbeaten when winning this race last season and followed up at Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle in imperious fashion under Rachael Blackmore.

Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle betting

Paddy Power: 1-2 Honeysuckle, 11-4 Appreciate It, 5 Sharjah, 8 Zanahiyr, 12 Teahupoo, 14 Saint Felicien, 16 bar

3.35: Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, 2m

Sir Gerhard, who is prominent in the market for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle behind Constitution Hill and Jonbon, has been entered in this informative Grade 1 for Mullins. He could be joined in the market by Dysart Dynamo, an impressive winner at Cork.

What happened last year: Appreciate It was sent off an 8-11 odds-on favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after winning here for Mullins and obliged when scoring by three and a quarter lengths.

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle betting

Paddy Power: 6-4 Sir Gerhard, 5 Mighty Potter, My Mate Mozzie, 6 El Fabiolo, 10 Dysart Dynamo, Three Stripe Life, 12 bar

Long-range shout: 'There was a lot to like about him last time'

Eric Bloodaxe
Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, Saturday 5 February

Blazing Khal and Journey With Me will likely command most attention in the opening Grade 1 of the meeting but don't discount a bold bid from the Joseph O'Brien-trained Eric Bloodaxe, who could have more to offer after a decisive Grade 2 win at Limerick last month.

Having spent time on the sidelines after showing plenty of quality in bumpers, the imposing seven-year-old looked a quality recruit to hurdles when winning on his introduction at Naas in November before failing to back that up behind Grade 1 winner Ginto at Navan.

There was a lot to like about how he returned to winning ways at Limerick last time in a well-established Albert Bartlett trial.

Gigginstown's promising youngster is certainly worth keeping in mind as he bids to follow in the footsteps of Tower Bridge, who became O'Brien's first official Grade 1 winner when landing this race in 2018.
Mark Boylan, reporter

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