The Dublin Racing Festival is finally here, and racing fans are in for a treat as some of the best horses in Ireland and the UK take to the track at Leopardstown .
With Cheltenham on the horizon , this two-day festival is a proving ground for champions, and Day 1 is packed with top-class racing action with 4 Grade 1 races including of course the prestigious Irish Gold Cup .
When it comes to Leopardstown and Irish racing you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who knows more than BoyleSports Horse Racing Ambassador Robbie Power . Ahead of the action, Robbie has broken down the key races, along with his tips and predictions for who will triumph on a blockbuster Day 1 at the 2025 Dublin Racing Festival.
Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 Tips, Predictions, & Preview From Robbie Power
Leopardstown 13:15 – 2m 6f Hurdle
Predictions, Tips, & Preview
I think Final Demand is deserving of favouritism here although he does come into this race quite unexposed. But I was very impressed with his maiden performance. He's the choice of Paul Townend.
This is a race that I think is going to be at a strong pace as well with Wingmen in there for Gordon Elliott. He looks like a strong stayer and is kind of a front-runner.
I think Final Demand can step up to the mark. So far this season, under all divisions, be it two miles, two and a half, or three miles, we're just waiting for a novice to jump out at us. I think over a trip this could be the one.
Final Demand to win – 13/8
Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 – Leopardstown 13:15 Odds
Horse | Odds | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
Final Demand | 13/8 | W P Mullins |
Supersundae | 11/2 | W P Mullins |
Sounds Victorius | 13/2 | W P Mullins |
Jasmin De Vaux | 8/1 | W P Mullins |
Mozzies Sister | 10/1 | Declan Queally |
I Am Lorenzo | 12/1 | Gavin Cromwell |
Bar | 16/1 | – |
Leopardstown 13:50 – 2m Hurdle
Tips, Predictions, & Preview
I’m not so sure we’ll be watching a future Triumph Hurdle winner in this race as I think Nicky Henderson has a very strong hand on that market at the moment. But Hello Neighbour has always been held in the highest regard by Gavin Cromwell and he pitched him in the deep end in Leopardstown at Christmas straight into a Grade 2 on his debut over hurdles. On that occasion, he did a lot wrong but still managed to win and that's the sign of a very good horse for me.
The other mare of Rich Ricci, Sainte Lucie , that won in Punchestown in what was a very, very good performance. She looks like one for the future. Whether she's a Triumph Hurdle winner or not, I'm not so sure.
I think Hello Neighbour going forward can build on that Leopardstown run and will be very, very hard to beat.
Hello Neighbour to win – 13/8
Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 – Leopardstown 13:50 Odds
Horse | Odds | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
Sainte Lucie | 15/8 | W P Mullins |
Hello Neighbour | 9/4 | Gavin Cromwell |
Lady Vega Allen | 10/3 | W P Mullins |
Sony Bill | 12/1 | W P Mullins |
Galileo Dame | 14/1 | Joseph Patrick O’Brien |
Bacchanalian | 18/1 | Declan Queally |
Wendrock | 20/1 | Gordon Elliott |
Willy De Houelle | 25/1 | W P Mullins |
Leopardstown 14:55 – 2m 1f Chase
Tips, Predictions, & Preview
I'm very very excited to see Majborough again. I was very very impressed with his performance in Fairyhouse on his chasing debut. He jumped so slickly really like a two-mile chaser, sharp and fast.
I was very very impressed and I think there's gonna be more to come going left-handed as well. That day in Fairyhouse he was always a little bit out to his left and I think going left-handed around Leopardstown would bring more improvement around for Majborough .
Ile Atlantique was very, very impressive in Naas at the start of January. He's two from two over fences, but I think he wants soft ground and I think soft ground is key to Ile Atlantique – especially over this trip. I think Majborough will have too much pace for him and jumps too quick for him.
Majborough to win – 4/6
Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 – Leopardstown 14:55 Odds
Horse | Odds | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
Majborough | 4/6 | W P Mullins |
Ile Atlantique | 3/1 | W P Mullins |
Firefox | 9/1 | Gordon Elliott |
Touch Me Not | 10/1 | Gordon Elliott |
Jeannot Lapin | 28/1 | Gearoid O’Loughlin |
Here Comes Georgie | 50/1 | Patrick Neville |
Irish Gold Cup – Leopardstown 15:30 – 3m 1/2f Chase
Tips, Predictions, & Preview
I'm really looking forward to this instalment of the Irish Gold Cup. It's a fantastic race, and Galopin Des Champs has been unbeatable around Leopardstown. He is very, very good.
At Christmas around Leopardstown, he put in another unbelievable performance. I know a lot of people felt that Fact To File didn't run his race and was a bit too keen.
I thought going to the last, he had every chance, but when Paul Townend gave Galopin Des Champs a squeeze at the back of the last, he went away very, very sharply and went through the line as strong as he started. He's just a very, very good horse around Leopardstown.
I can see Fact To File being right there coming to the last, but I think Galopin Des Champs will have too much for him. I'm really looking forward to it again. It's going to be a fantastic renewal.
For me, I can't get away from Galopin Des Champs around Leopardstown.
Galopin Des Champs to win – 1/2
Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 – Leopardstown 15:30 Odds
Horse | Odds | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
Galopin Des Champs | 1/2 | W P Mullins |
Fact To File | 7/2 | W P Mullins |
Embassy Gardens | 11/1 | W P Mullins |
Monty’s Star | 11/1 | Henry de Bromhead |
Inothewayurthinkin | 20/1 | Gavin Cromwell |
Hewick | 25/1 | Miss Tara Lee Cogan |
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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