Dublin Racing Festival 2022: Five of the key clashes as Cheltenham countdown continues

Cheltenham Festival 2022 is just weeks away. Top runners will continue their preparations at Leopardstown. Last year's Festival saw Irish trainers race to a record 23 wins from 28 races. Unbeaten Honeysuckle leads the Irish contingent this year at Prestbury Park. Appreciate It and Bob Olinger are among six entries for the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle. Blue Lord is the new owner of Arkle market.

Blue Lord is the favourite in Irish Arkle Novice Chase (2.10) on Saturday. Saint Sam, the 2021 Boodles Juvenile Hurdle runner-up, and Haut En Couleurs are also entered. Riviere D'Etel is a Cheltenham option.

Kemboy won last year's renewal of the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup. Minella Indo finished fourth. Trainer Paul Nicholls wants to train Frodon in Ireland instead of Cheltenham.

Chacun Pour Soi and Greaneteen are going head-to-head in the Dublin Chase on Sunday. Chacuna Pour Sosi has won the race twice before and is aiming for the hat-trick. Greanshkin is the winner of the Tingle Creek Chase.

Appreciate It and Honeysuckle meet in the Irish Champion Hurdle (3.00) on Sunday. Appreciates It hasn't won since his 24-length Supreme Novices' H hurdler's victory. Honesuckle has won 13 times under rules.

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (3.35) is the opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival 2022. Champion Bumper winner Sir Gerhard takes on Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter.