Four outsiders to note at the Dublin Racing Festival - including a JP McManus chaser

The Dublin Racing Festival begins on Saturday, with two days of top-quality action from Leopardstown including eight Grade 1s and plenty of competitive handicaps. Here are four horses who could outrun their big odds.

Belle Metal

Race: 3.40 Leopardstown, Saturday

Best odds: 33-1

The 3m handicap hurdle on Saturday is extremely competitive and it is difficult to rule out many of the runners. All eyes will be on Maxxum but Belle Metal could be the one to look out for.

She is likely to be running slightly out of the handicap but Willie Mullins could well book a talented claimer to negate the difference. Her recent profile is likely to put plenty off, yet some of last season's form is very interesting.

She shaped better than the bare result over 3m½f at Fairyhouse in April off a 3lb higher rating and this would be just her third start over a staying trip. Unexposed and usefully bred, she could easily outrun her lofty odds for a yard in fine form.

Belle Metal06:39 Leopardstown

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Jky: Tnr:

Still Ciel

Race: 1.10 Leopardstown, Sunday

Best odds: 40-1

It is hard to knock a mare with the winning habit and Still Ceil could be one to follow after her victory at Thurles in October. She was making it fifth-time lucky over hurdles, but her form suggests a mark of 116 is workable.

On her fourth run she was not beaten far by Bella Scintilla, who has subsequently finished second in Listed company, splitting the smart pair of Saylavee and Harmonya Maker.

Still Ciel will likely need further than this to show her best, but this will be run at a strong pace, which should help this prominent-racer draw out her stamina. A lack of rain is another positive and she is a definite place contender.

Still Ciel06:39 Leopardstown

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Jky: Tnr:

I Am Maximus

Race: 1.40 Leopardstown, Sunday

Best odds: 40-1

Winning this contest might be beyond I Am Maximus, but he is surely not a 40-1 shot. The seven-year-old was previously trained by Nicky Henderson and has shaped well on both his starts over fences since joining Willie Mullins, although his jumping has let him down.

A litany of mistakes were his downfall against Gentlemansgame at Leopardstown over Christmas, but a second chasing start will surely have helped his jumping and he remains lightly-raced for connections.

Provided his jumping has straightened out for his third chase outing, he can surely play an each-way hand in a race that may fall apart at the final entries stage.

I Am Maximus06:39 Leopardstown

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Jky: Tnr:

Ilikedwayurthinkin

Race: 2.40 Leopardstown, Sunday

Best odds: 40-1

His recent efforts have been disappointing but the Gavin Cromwell-trained Ilikedwayurthinkin is very well treated on the best of his form and this sort of race will play to his strengths.

He posted a career-best effort on Racing Post Ratings at Aintree in April over hurdles in a Grade 3 handicap, finishing second off a mark of 137. Four subsequent starts have not matched that level but he is now on a mark we know he is capable off.

For his age, he is still relatively lightly raced over fences and it is feasible he could still improve. All his career-best efforts have come in big-field handicaps and this is likely to be the perfect time to catch him.

Ilikedwayurthinkin06:39 Leopardstown

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Jky: Tnr:

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