IF YOU are a sports fan, Dublin is the place to be this weekend.

We will all watch the Ireland vs England rugby international at the Aviva after the racing at Leopardstown on Saturday, and there has been a huge build up to the Dublin Racing Festival and we bring a nice team of horses that will hopefully represent us well over the two days.

It’s a fantastic initiative and these are all very important races in their own right. We’ll always have an eye on the big spring festivals, but there is huge prize money on offer at Leopardstown and we’ve been aiming all of our good horses at this weekend for some time.

It’s a shame that Sizing John hasn’t made it. I took him out of the Unibet Gold Cup at the forfeit stage on Tuesday, as if I left him in, I may have tempted to let him take his chance, but it would have been the wrong thing to do. He hasn’t been away for that racecourse school yet and there is a chance that if I can get him away, that he’ll hopefully head to Gowran for the Red Mills Chase.

Some of our horses would prefer softer ground, but it’s the same for everyone and we are just delighted to have nice horses to run over the weekend.

LEOPARDSTOWN – SATURDAY

12.50

Magnium (Robert Power)

He ran very well in the Grade 1 at Naas and the step up to two miles and six will suit him. There is no Battleoverdoyen in the line-up, but it’s a hugely competitive race and on ratings, our horse goes into the race with a chance. We were just touched off in this race last year with Jetz and Magnium is more of a stayer than him. Ideally, he’d want softer ground, but Robert will let him bowl along and we’ll see how he gets on. He’s in the Albert Bartlett and the Ballymore at Cheltenham and tomorrow will tell us more about him – I’d like to take him to Cheltenham, as the strong gallop over there, would really suit him. I’ve been very happy with Magnium and I think he’ll run a big race.

1.25

Supasundae (Robert Power)

This is the race of the day and like last year, Supasunade, heads into the race a little bit under the radar, which suits us. I think he has really sharpened up for his two runs this season and he appears to be getting quicker with age. Apples Jade looks sure to bowl along, as she is dropping back to two miles and she has been very impressive, winning her three starts this season. Melon was second in the Unibet Champion Hurdle last season and is bound to have come on for his first run of the season at Christmas time. Supasundae finished in front of him and Petit Mouchoir at Christmas and all I can say is that I’ve been delighted with our horse since. He improved throughout last season and he will love the good ground. It’ll be a hell of a race and they will go some gallop, but that will suit our horse and it would great to win this race again.

How is Supasundae ahead of the Irish Champion Hurdle?

Hear it almost straight from the horse’s mouth@Jessica_Racing @kateharro1989 @LeopardstownRC #RoadToCheltenham pic.twitter.com/sBS7kExOdQ

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) February 1, 2019

2.00

Jezki (Daragh O’Keeffe) & Jetez (Robert Power)

We run two in this race and Jezki has been a great servant and it’s amazing to think that he ran in the Champion Hurdle at this fixture behind Hurricane Fly in 2014 and while he’s not as good as he was, he has dropped to reasonable mark. Daragh is good value for his 7lb claim and that will help him. It looks a very competitive race and it won’t be easy for him, but he should run well.

Gerry McGrath who owns Jetez, used to own Jezki and he has bred both horses. Gerry has been a very lucky owner for me and I think his horse has a great chance. He loves good ground and he was an impressive winner here at Christmas time and he ran a solid race when second in a Grade 2 the last day at Punchestown. He likes to be handy and that tends to be a plus in a race like this with so many runners. He has a reasonable weight on his back – anything blow 11st is a help in these competitive handicaps. We won this race back in 2012 with Citizenship, and recent results show, that it really favours those with a low weight. Our horse is improving and I think he’ll run very well.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my thoughts on my Sunday runners!

Jessie