Which performance caught your eye the most on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival?

'He looks the perfect candidate for the Turners'

Final Demand had the form to land the opening Grade 1 novice hurdle, but few would have expected him to deliver such a dominant performance to catapult him towards the top of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle betting at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was an emphatic 15-length winner of a Limerick maiden in December, a race well advertised by runner-up Timmy Tuesday, who bolted up in an Ayr handicap next time, and the third, who landed a Punchestown maiden comfortably last month.

The choice of Paul Townend from five stable runners here, Final Demand cruised past the pace-setting Wingmen on the bridle before clearing away on the run-in for an impressive 12-length success.

With a blend of high cruising speed, slick jumping and stamina, he looks the perfect candidate for the 2m5f novice at Cheltenham, which could be a race to savour with easy Challow Hurdle winner The New Lion also in line for that contest.
Harry Wilson, tipster

'I'd love him to be pitched into the Boodles'

Willie Mullins looks to have a rare season in which his Triumph Hurdle team isn't the strongest, but I'd love to see him pitch Willy De Houelle into the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

He was dubbed his Triumph horse earlier in the season and hasn't lived up to those expectations after three defeats on Irish soil. However, he fared much better when fourth in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle behind Hello Neighbour. Despite wearing a hood and a tongue-tie, he was really keen again but, unlike before, he stayed on well on this occasion. 

He's qualified to run in the Boodles and it will be intriguing to see what mark he's given, as a big-field handicap run at a strong pace around the Old course could suit him strongly.
Matt Rennie, reporter

Fact To File (right): should the John Durkan winner drop in trip at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann

'Fact To File should be bound for the Ryanair'

It is impossible not to have been taken with Galopin Des Champs’s sublime third success in the Irish Gold Cup and a chance to emulate the great Best Mate next month looks well within his reach. 

He has proven vulnerable at the tail end of the season but he looks untouchable right now, and despite seven horses on his heels entering the home straight he still showed enough class and determination to beat them all on the run to the line. 

Grangeclare West stayed on admirably for second at 66-1, and a similar late charge in the Gold Cup has proven effective in the past to grab a place up the Cheltenham hill, while the third-placed Fact To File should be bound for the Ryanair. 

He looks as if he could be a better horse over that trip, although I would still side with Protektorat after his brilliant Fleur de Lys win two weeks ago.
Catherine Macrae, reporter

Read more on the Dublin Racing Festival. . .

'I couldn't believe the roar' - crowd goes wild as chasing great Galopin Des Champs impresses with third Irish Gold Cup win 

'Natural talent' Majborough cements position as Ireland's leading Arkle hope with dominant success under Mark Walsh 

Final Demand cut for Turners and Albert Bartlett after opening-race demolition at the Dublin Racing Festival 

'He's a proper one' - Hello Neighbour cut to 9-2 for Triumph Hurdle after maintaining unbeaten record 

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