Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 tips as Garry Owen predicts Irish Gold Cup glory for Galopin Des Champs
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (3:30) cannot be opposed in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins’ star only needs to repeat his Savills Chase romp here last month to triumph.
LEOPARDSTOWN
1:20 SUPERSUNDAE
1:50 SAINTE LUCIE
2:25 MEETINGOFTHEWATERS
2:55 MAJBOROUGH
3:30 GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
4:05 AN PEANN DEARG
4:35 GREEN SPLENDOUR
SAINT SEGAL (2:50) can floor his rivals in the bet365 Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh. Jane Williams’ horse looked a smart recruit to fences when easily landing his first two outings. The gelding stayed upwardly mobile when a close second to Malystic at Doncaster in early 2023. However, he was unable to match that level of form thanks to some poor jumping afterwards. The seven-year-old still looked below-par when unplaced on his first three outings this season. He put all that behind him with some bold leaps when easing home from Beau Balko at Newbury. The bold-galloper remains well-treated so he can land this valuable prize with another clear round.
MAITRE EN SCIENCE (1:42) can maintain Harry Derham’s revival in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle. The youngster opened his account for Mickael Seror by decisively defeating Kotkidina at Dieppe. He then took a step-up to Listed level in his stride when outpointing Lafayette at Clairefontaine. There is plenty more to come from this pacey grey who can make a winning start for his new yard.
The trainer can bag a quick double with BALHAMBAR (2:17) in the Scottish County Hurdle. The gelding made rapid headway last term with impressive victories at Ludlow and Bangor. He was only denied a hat-trick by the useful Pickanumber up in class at Huntingdon in April.
He improved again when third to Wreckless Eric on his next run over timber at Cheltenham. He put that run to good use when giving the progressive Alnilam most problems at Southwell. The six-year-old remains in top gear so he can go one better in another competitive handicap.
SMOKERINGINTHEDARK (3:27) looks hot stuff in the Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle. The gelding earned a switch to Nicky Richards with a superb second in a point at Taylorstown. He justified that decision by pipping the talented Jet To Vegas on his Uk debut over 2m 4f here. The five-year-old was doing all his best work late so he can deny some promising foes up in trip.
BOOMSLANG (3:57) looks lethal for Rebecca Menzies in the bet365 Handicap Chase. The winning hurdler hammered Andys Flame switched to fences at Downpatrick in October. He raised his game again when just denied by the well-treated Flic Ou Voyou at Newcastle . The gelding didn’t mind tackling three miles when brushing aside Raceview Road at Carlisle. He then shrugged-off dropping to 2m 4f when cruising clear of Beau Balko here last time out. The eight-year-old scored with plenty in hand so he can defy a 7lb penalty back up in trip.
BOOK OF TALES (4:27) can shade the bet365 Handicap Hurdle for Charlie Longsdon. The five-year-old developed into a quality performer on the Flat for Charlie Johnston. He looked an even better hurdler when routing Grain Of Hope on debut at Fontwell. The bay was given plenty of time to recover after disappointing back on the level at Bath. He rewarded his yard’s patience when caning Cuban Court back over timber at Doncaster. The five-year-old is open to plenty more progress so he can make light of a lenient 3lb rise.
MUSSELBURGH
1:42 MAITRE EN SCIENCE
2:17 BALHAMBAR
2:50 SAINT SEGAL (NAP)
3:27 SMOKERINGINTHEDARK
3:57 BOOMSLANG
4:27 BOOK OF TALES
DE KINGPIN (1:25) can plunder the Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Sandown. Ben Pauling’s grey was a promising third to Anno Power on his timber bow at this venue. However, he took a step backwards over two miles when fifth to Miller Spirit at Lingfield. The gelding showed that 2m 4f was his trip when pipped by Captain Bellamy at Newbury. That was a high-class contest so the six-year-old can make light of a stiff opening mark.
Venetia Williams excels here so I’m on MARTATOR (2:00) in the Virgin Bet Chase. The gelding completed a magnificent four-timer when thrashing Kotmask at Ascot. He wasn’t disgraced again when third to Soul Icon in Grade 2 company at Kempton. The bay hated the faster ground when seventh to Terresita back at Ascot last time. The eight-year-old will prefer today’s softer going so he can resume winning ways.
KALIF DU BERLAIS (2:35) can bag a terrific renewal of the Scilly Isles Novice Chase. Big things were expected of Paul Nicholls’ bay over fences after a fine hurdle career. However, he gained quite a few critics when falling on debut at Carlisle in November. The gelding immediately atoned when comfortably dispatching Tedley at Newbury. He took his form up another notch when showing Vincenzo no mercy at Cheltenham. The five-year-old hit the line running so he can add this Grade 1 to his CV over 2m 4f.
Nicholls can reign again with HENRI THE SECOND (3:07) in the Heroes Handicap Hurdle. The gelding oozed class when crushing Henry's Friend on a Grade 2 here back in 2022. However, he had his limitations exposed with some poor runs over 2m 4f afterwards.
The eight-year-old looked ready to tackle three miles when fourth on his return here. He proved his stamina when powering to victory from Up For Parol over track and trip. That race is working out well so this strong-traveller can follow-up despite an 8lb hike.
O'CONNELL (3:42) looks streets ahead for Suzie Smith in the Masters Handicap Chase. The gelding held his form well last season after routing Mixedwave at Market Rasen. He needed the run when eighth to The Flier Begley on his return over 2m 4f at Carlisle. The bay put that run to good use when edging-out Fortunate Man back up in trip there. He recorded another career best at Market Rasen when putting Concetto to the sword. The nine-year-old is still improving so he can extend his trainer’s super run in a hot event.
SANDOWN
12:50 DIAMONDS FOR LUCK
1:25 DE KINGPIN
2:00 MARTATOR
2:35 KALIF DU BERLAIS
3:07 HENRI THE SECOND
3:42 O'CONNELL
4:12 A PAI DE NOM
WETHERBY
12:30 PATE MOLLEE
1:00 JUMPER MADRIK
1:33 LUD'OR
2:08 GLORY AND HONOUR
2:43 MR BRAMLEY
3:18 JET PLANE
3:50 LITTLE LEDGEND
4:22 ORDEROFTHEDAY
NEWCASTLE
4:17 BLUE YONDER
4:50 MUM'S CALLED
5:25 STUDIOUS
5:55 LADY OF THE GARR
6:25 JAMAICAN STORM
6:55 TASEVER
7:25 ASADJUMEIRAH
7:55 MY BOY JACK
WOLVERHAMPTON
4:40 SMART HERO
5:10 FOREST SPIRIT
5:40 MANTON ROAD
6:10 FREAK ENCOUNTER
6:40 PARADOXICAL
7:10 SAIDHA
7:40 PRINCE OF BEL LIR
8:10 SOUTH DAKOTA SIOUX
