PREVIEW: There's only one man to follow at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival
Rhode man Vinny Grennan provides us with a preview of the first day of a stunning two-day card at Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival. Find more from Vinny on his Vinster Sports Media Facebook page HERE.
Leopardstown racecourse is the place to be this weekend for the Dublin Racing Festival which sees a plethora of our equine stars from both sides of the Irish Sea bid to gain glory in eight Grade 1 races during a two-day festival.
The feature race on the opening day (Saturday) is the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup with eight going to post headed by Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo and Paul Nicholls' English challenger Frodon.
Willie Mullins, the man to follow this weekend, saddles four runners - Kemboy, Asterion Forlonge, Janidil and Cilaos Emery - while Gordon Elliott's pair Delta Work and Conflated complete the line-up.
Last year's winner Kemboy showed he was returning to form when going close in the Savills Chase here at Christmas and a repeat of that run will see him go very close again.
Frodon and Minella Indo recently clashed at Kempton over Christmas where they both went too fast early on and tired quickly, so one would be best to put a line through that form. A surprise jockey booking here is that Robbie Power has been booked for Minella Indo.
For me, the dark horse in the race is Asterion Forlonge. He is much better suited going left-handed and has proven he likes the Foxrock venue. If his recent fall at Kempton when travelling very well hasn’t left any lasting impression he could be one to cause a surprise in a wide open race.
The opening race at 1.05 is the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Grade One Novice Hurdle and sees Gordon Elliott's Hollow Games bid to get back to winning ways after losing his unbeaten tag when running slightly below par at Naas last time out. He will be better suited by this step back up in trip.
Elliott is doubly represented with Minella Crooner, a recent winner at Punchestown, stepping up to graded company. Grand Jury, Eric Bloodaxe and Bronn will all have their supporters but I expect Hollow Games to lead them home here.
The Racing Post sponsored Juvenile Hurdle for four olds sees leading Cheltenham contenders Fil Dor and Vauban head the field. Fil Dor was visually very impressive winning at Leopardstown at Christmas while Vauban, who came with a lofty reputation, was a shade disappointing when finishing second to Pied Piper. However, Pied Piper franked that form last weekend when winning very easily at Cheltenham.
One to keep an eye on for me here at a very big price is Vadaly. The Kenny Alexander owned mare was a winner last August in Dieppe in France before being bought and joined the Willie Mullins yard. She could be one to keep an eye on each way at a big price.
The final Grade 1 on the opening day is the Arkle Novice Chase where six go to post.
Willie Mullins once again holds a very strong hand with half the field consisting of Blue Lord, Haut De Coloures and Saint Sam and it will be a surprise if the winner doesn't come from this trio.
Gordon Elliott’s filly Riviere D’etel is the only one who could upset the Mullins trio but even with the fillies allowance of nine pounds, she needs to be foot perfect to win here in my opinion. This promises to be one of the races of the weekend and I’m siding with Haut De Couleurs to lead them home here.
The remaining races on the card see a wide open twenty-four runner three miles handicap hurdle where a case can be made for many. Emmett Mullins runs Rightplacerighttime who gets in with bottom weight and could be a dark one while in the 3.50 Handicap Chase, Mt Leinster should be the one to lead them home.
The finale on day one sees Facile Vega bid to build on a hugely impressive debut win at Christmas but the son of superstar race mara Quevega will be prohibitive odds to do so.
VINNY'S BEST BETS
NAP - Hollow Games 2/1 1.05
Next Best - Mt Leinster 2/1 3.50
Possible each-way value bets
Vadaly 40/1 1.35
Rightplacerighttime 14/1 2.45