Five horses who could be slashed for Cheltenham at the Dublin Racing Festival

The Dublin Racing Festival gets under way on Saturday and with seven Grade 1s up for grabs it is sure to have an impact on the Cheltenham Festival markets. Here we outline five horses who could enhance their claims.

Gaillard Du Mesnil
Current festival price: 7-1 for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

The opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival could have a profound impact on the festival markets, with most horses presumably using it as a stepping stone for either the Ballymore or the Albert Bartlett.

Latest Exhibition won the race last year and was only denied by a neck in the latter, going down gallantly to Monkfish.

Willie Mullins does not yet have a confirmed Ballymore horse and this five-year-old looks set to stake his case in the opening Grade 1 over 2m6f. The trainer has also entered Stattler, who is shorter in the betting for the Albert Bartlett.

A nine-and-a-half length winner at the track over two furlongs shorter on Savills Chase day, Gaillard Du Mesnil is one of the latest stars to run in Joe Donnelly's Gold Cup-winning silks and another comprehensive win here could see his festival odds slashed.

Watch: Gaillard Du Mesnil tanks to victory at Leopardstown in December

Honeysuckle
Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle
16-1 for the Champion Hurdle (6-1 NRNB)

Owner Kenny Alexander plumped for the Mares' Hurdle at the festival after winning the Irish Champion Hurdle with Honeysuckle last year but it could be a different story this time around.

Honeysuckle (right): downed Benie Des Dieux in the Mares' Hurdle last year - could she go for the Champion Hurdle this time around?Credit: Patrick McCann

With connections reportedly leaning towards the Champion Hurdle, the 16-1 currently on offer could look huge if she were to win this race for the second year in succession. Like Epatante, Honeysuckle receives a 7lb allowance and has yet to be beaten in a flawless career.

If that streak were to end, the race could still have a say on the Champion Hurdle market. Saint Roi, Abacadabras and Saldier all have points to prove but remain dark horses for the day one highlight.

Watch: Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore battle to Irish Champion Hurdle victory last year

Quilixios
Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle
11-1 for the Triumph Hurdle

With current Triumph favourite Zanahiyr a notable absentee from this race, his rivals have the opportunity to prove their worth in what looks a deep division.

Gordon Elliott has a strong hand and instead relies on Quilixios, who despite being favourite for this race is now as big as 11-1 for the Triumph.

Among his opposition is French Aseel, who has moved to the Mullins yard and is considerably shorter for the juvenile highlight on the final day of the festival.

Quilixios: is he as good as stablemate Zanahiyr?Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Cheveley Park's unbeaten son of Maxios hasn't been seen since winning by 20 lengths at odds of 1-16 in October and will be bidding to replicate Our Conor, who won this race in 2013 en route to festival success.

Watch: Quilixios makes light work of his rivals on his second start in Ireland

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup
25-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Delta Work is another of last year's winners back for more but things haven't gone swimmingly since he defeated Kemboy 12 months ago. He tends to come on for his seasonal reappearance but he unseated Sean Flanagan in the Savills last time and is on a recovery mission now.

Jack Kennedy will be reunited with Delta Work in the Irish Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Jack Kennedy gets on particularly well with him, so his assistance rates a positive and the eight-year-old still tops this field on official ratings.

Fifth in last year's Gold Cup under Mark Walsh, Delta Work's jumping frailties were again laid bare but it is still too early to be writing him off as a creditable contender to Al Boum Photo this year.

Watch: Delta Work stays on best in last year's Irish Gold Cup

Brandy Love
Coolmore N.H. Sires Kew Gardens Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race
16-1 for the Champion Bumper

Elliott appears to hold all the aces in the Champion Bumper market given how impressive Sir Gerhard – entered in the 4.25 on Saturday – has been so far this season.

But it would be folly to dismiss Willie Mullins in the race given he has won it nine times including with a mare just three years ago.

One of his primary candidates this year could be the highly touted Brandy Love, a point-to-point winner who made a seamless transition to this sphere when running out an impressive winner at Fairyhouse in December.

Watch: Brandy Love justifies her towering reputation on rules debut

Read more:

'Jack's the key to Delta Work' - Kennedy boost for Elliott's Irish Gold Cup hope (Members' Club)

Dublin's dark horses: five underdogs out to upset the big guns this weekend (Members' Club)

Faugheen: why the Machine will be a 'very, very hard horse to replace'

Chacun Pour Soi and Honeysuckle head stellar cast for Dublin Racing Festival

Dublin Racing Festival 2021: essential information for the races at Leopardstown

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