8 Cheltenham Festival fancies running at Leopardstown this weekend

The Dublin Racing Festival’s one of the biggest dates on the National Hunt calendar – and it should also provide plenty of clues for next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

A Dream To Share, El Fabiolo and Galopin Des Champs all won at the Leopardstown fixture before scoring at the four-day fiesta in March last year – and a whole host of horses will be trying to follow in their hooves this weekend.

There are 15 cracking contests on the Dublin Racing Festival schedule, with eight Grade 1s including the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup and a number of key novice races.

The latest Leopardstown odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise we’ve picked out eight runners at the Dublin Racing Festival that could potentially score at the big one in just over five weeks.

Predators Gold

Race: Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 13:20

Predators Gold has already logged some decent form in the book – the latest being a 6½l defeat to Caldwell Potter in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle – and could emerge as a player in our non runner money back betting for the Baring Bingham and Albert Bartlett if he dots up.

Storm Heart

Race: McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 13:50

Sir Gino surged to the top of our betting for the Triumph Hurdle after smashing Burdett Road at Cheltenham on Trials Day and Storm Heart – an emphatic scorer on debut over sticks – will bid to close the gap in the odds when facing a string of stablemates including Bunting, Highwind and Majborough.

Marine Nationale

Race: Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 14:25

Marine Nationale – bidding to become the first horse since Altior to complete the Supreme-Arkle double – trounced his rivals on debut over fences and could deliver a knockout blow to Facile Vega and Found A Fifty on Saturday to further confirm his position as an odds-on fancy for the second race of the Fez.

Galopin Des Champs

Race: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup
Date: Saturday, February 3
Time: 15:35

After being beaten by Fastorslow in the Punchestown Gold Cup and John Durkan, Galopin Des Champs silenced the doubters by routing the field in the Savills Chase over Christmas to restore his position as a strong favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

If Willie Mullins’ stable star retains the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup then the Blue Riband in March looks at his mercy, although a third defeat to Fastorslow would blow the big one wide open.

Gaelic Warrior

Race: Ladbrokes Novice Chase
Date: Sunday, February 4
Time: 13:10

A cracking little contest as Gaelic Warrior takes on stablemates Fact To File and Grangeclare West after a late decision by trainer Willie Mullins to swerve the Irish Arkle. A tendency to jump right and being 0-2 at Cheltenham is a concern ahead of the Festival but another mighty performance over fences will enhance his credentials for the Turners.

Ballyburn

Race: Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle
Date: Sunday, February 4
Time: 13:40

One of the hype horses of the campaign, Ballyburn has the option of the Supreme and Baring Bingham in March, although the former is likely to become the priority if Farren Glory – the Royal Bond winner – can be seen off. The presence of Daddy Long Legs, King Of Kingsfield and Slade Steel means this really should be an informative contest.

El Fabiolo

Race: Ladbrokes Dublin Chase
Date: Sunday, February 4
Time: 14:10

After Jonbon failed to enhance his claims for the Champion Chase in last weekend’s Clarence House, it is ElFabiolo‘s turn to take centre stage. Dinoblue is likely to keep last season’s Arkle winner honest, although this looks like a relatively facile assignment.

Meetingofthewaters

Race: O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase
Date: Sunday, February 4
Time: 15:20

Victory in the Paddy Power Chase wrecked Willie Mullins’ plan to fire the horse at the Kim Muir, with the National Hunt Chase and the Ultima now being on the list of possibilities. The O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase looks like being one of the most competitive races of the season and Meetingofthewaters‘ Cheltenham target should become clearer as a result, with a tilt at the Grand National also under consideration.

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