THE two-day Dublin Festival at Leopardstown features a top-class line up and we can look forward to some exciting Grade 1 racing on ground that has received positive feedback in recent days after watering. On Sunday it is hard to oppose at odds-on Galopin Des Champs at Unibet 1/2 in the novice chase at 1.20, whilst the brilliant mare Honeysuckle Unibet 3/10 odds-on stars in the Irish Champion Hurdle at 3.20. Remember Honeysuckle is now 13 from 13 under rules and she will retain her 100% record on route to The Festival.
The Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown is the feature on a very interesting card overall with plenty of Cheltenham Festival pointers. The exceptionally dry January has affected field sizes of course, yet quality is strong and I’m looking forward to a day at Sandown, one of my favourite racecourses.
Enjoy whether at the races or #athome
Cheers
The Wine Tipster.
2.10 Leopardstown – Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 1f
Blue Lord was my each way selection to chase home Appreciate It at The Festival in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle had looked booked for second until falling at the last. He is very talented and has been performing well running over fences this season, when coasting to victory on his last start in a three-runner race at Naas last month, after beating El Barra in December at Fairyhouse in a Beginners Chase. Blue Lord has the class to beat main rival Riviere Detel as he has adapted to fences so well.
Unibet 13/8 win
2.20 Sandown – Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase Grade 1 2m 4f
L’Homme Presse is three from three this season and you could now fail to be impressed by his performance at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day when he looked the winner from a long way out. His previous success at Ascot was eye-catching too. L’Homme Presse has won on good ground so will be fine with conditions and he can strike again for the inform Venetia Williams team.
Unibet 5/6 win
2.55 Sandown – Heroes Handicap Hurdle 2m 7½f
Green Book (nap) was hampered and unseated in the Lanzorate Hurdle at Kempton last time out when tipped up. He is going places, as he won twice in November at Haydock and Ludlow respectively over two miles five furlongs and looks sure to benefit from the step up in trip. Green Book has won on good to soft and was fourth on good going at the Goodwood last August.
Unibet 5/1 each way
Beauport has been crying out for three miles this year, and finally gets it here. He was an easy winner of the EBF Final here last March, romping away in the closing stages. Beauport has done little wrong in two starts this season when runner-up here in November and ought to have won at Newbury when second after coming from too far back. He has big chance, is still unexposed and has proven form at Sandown.
Unibet 11/2 each way
3.15 Leopardstown – Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) 2m
Delta Work looks overlooked in a race where there are questions to be answered regarding some of the principals. He is a winner of three Grade 1 races at Leopardstown and would have been much closer on his last start in the Savills Chase in December if he hadn’t made a bad mistake at the second last. Delta Work has won all types of going including good and has a strong each way chance here.
Unibet 10/1 each way
3.30 Sandown – Masters Handicap Chase 3m
Deise Aba is looking to win this race for the third year in a row and ignore his last start in the Welsh Grand National when pulled up. He loves Sandown and was runner-up in December when just beaten a nose by Highland Hunter after being second to Koshari at Aintree. This is a competitive renewal, and he will another good race at Sandown for sure.
Sunday Dublin Festival
1.50 Leopardstown – Dublin Chase Grade 1 2m 1f
Greaneteen beat Chacun Pour Soi, who was sore for a few days afterwards, in the Tingle Creek in December and can make the Irish trip worthwhile for the Paul Nicholls team. Although Chacun Pour Soi could return to form, it is worth remembering that Greaneteen was only a half a length fourth behind him in the Champion Chase at The Festival. Last time out Greaneteen chased home the mighty Shishkin at Kempton in the Desert Orchid and this likeable type will run here on ground that will definitely suit.
Unibet 5/2 win
2.25 Leopardstown – Leopardstown Handicap Chase 2m 5½f
Gallant John Joe will appreciate the return to Handicap company off an attractive mark of 142, having run well enough off a long break when fourth behind Ferny Hollow in December and then fifth to Bob Olinger last month. Back in 2020 Gallant John Joe was third behind Notebook and runner-up to Melon. Gallant John Joe has won good ground if conditions ride quick and he is an interesting contender here.
Unibet 15/2 each way
Minella Times the 2021 Grand National winner fell in a race won by Allaho in December when a 66/1 outsider on his first start since Aintree. Last season his form figures were 1221 and we know Minella Times has won over a wide range of trips. If bouncing back to form then Minella Times is a strong each way selection.
Unibet 16/1 each way
3.35 Leopardstown – Tattersalls Ireland Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 2m
Sir Gerhard can strike here for the Willie Mullins team, who have won eight of the last ten renewals.
Sir Gerhard won the Festival Bumper beating smart stablemate Kilcruit, who then reversed the form at the Punchestown Festival. He showed in his Maiden Hurdle success on Boxing Day over course and distance when winning easily that he can step up to Grade 1 level.
Unibet 5/4 win
