Five burning questions ahead of the 2019 Dublin Racing Festival - (2025)

Updated: 20/01/2025

Irish Gold Cup and Irish Champion Hurdle among races

ITV4 viewers will have eyes on Sandown and Wetherby this weekend. But the real top class action is taking place at Leopardstown in the spectacular two-day Dublin Racing Festival on Racing TV.

Top trainers from both sides of the Irish Sea will send their best to battle it out across 15 races, including eight fascinating Grade 1 renewals. And we’ve got five questions ahead of the weekend.

Can Footpad get back to his best in the Dublin Chase?

Footpad’s second season chasing hasn’t quite gone to plan. Willie Mullins’ raider had the world at his feet last campaign after racking up five straight wins – including the Arkle at Cheltenham and the Irish Ryanair. This term he’s blundered at Naas and fallen short behind Simply Ned at Leopardstown.

Nicky Richards’ raider looks set to reoppose here. But it’s last year’s winner Min who’s the main danger. Footpad’s stablemate looked better than ever winning the John Durkan on reappearance and will lay down another stiff test to the jolly here.

How will Apple’s Jade cope over 2m in the Irish Champion Hurdle?

Gordon Elliott looks set to have three contenders in the six-runner Irish Champion Hurdle. But it’s Apple’s Jade who is his best hope. The mare has returned to the track in sensational form this term with a hat-trick of comprehensive wins in the Lismullen, Hatton’s Grace and Christmas Hurdle.

There’s been no stopping her over 2m 4f and 3m. So we’re intrigued how she gets on back down at 2m for the first time since finishing runner-up in the Fighting Fifth in November 2016. It’s an interesting move from Elliot which should pay off, with Melon and Supasundae her main foes.

Will Le Richebourg go favourite for the Arkle?

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Le Richebourg looks a pretty solid favourite for the Irish Arkle. The six-year-old has excelled over 2m 1f this term and claimed a maiden Grade 1 win in some style over course and distance on Boxing Day. Win here and he could go clear for the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Lalor, Dynamite Dollars and Kalashnikov have all beaten each other in England. So a comprehensive win from Le Richebourg would lay down a significant marker. Knockanuss and Hardline are rated his main dangers here, although Henry De Bromhead goes for a hat-trick in the race with Paloma Blue.

Who will stake Gold Cup claims in the Irish equivalent?

With the 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup looking decidedly open – save a taking run from Presenting Percy last week – all eyes will be on the Irish Gold Cup for more pointers. Only three horses have won both contests in the same year, but it can still be an important prep-run ahead of the big one.

Road to Respect – last year’s Gold Cup third – is favourite for Noel Meade, although Al Boum Photo, Bellshill and Kemboy are all vying to give Mullins his 10th win in the race. Alpha Des Obeaux is one who could appreciate the good ground, while Edwulf will be aiming for another 33/1 shock for the second year in a row.

Can Britain finally usurp Ireland in the Flogas?

Ready for a ding-dong battle between Britain and Ireland in the Flogas Novice Chase? Because that’s just what we’re going to get when four-time seeking Delta Work takes on four-timer seeking La Bague Au Roi over 2m 5f.

Both raiders have looked mightily impressive so far, although Elliott’s charge who has landed two Grade 1s to Warren Greatrex’s one. It’s difficult to call on form. So maybe a look at the historical trends could help. No British-trained horse has ever won the Flogas in its 29-year history. Good luck, Warren.

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Original source: http://news.coral.co.uk/horse-racing/five-burning-questions-ahead-of-the-2019-dublin-racing-festival.html

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