How did Mullins perform at the Dublin Racing Festival? With the Dublin Racing Festival now in the rear view mirror for another year, the countdown towards Cheltenham in March is truly intensifying. The two-day Leopardstown meeting has become the must-see event before the Cotswolds, with many top Irish hopes turning out. In 2024, 11 horses that ran at the DRF went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival. Willie Mullins typically has a stranglehold on the Leopardstown jamboree, but perhaps it offered as many questions as answers for the Closutton behemoth this time around? We look back on Mullins' 2025 Dublin Racing Festival in the various divisions. Novice hurdlers As they often do, stars emerged in all directions for the champion trainer. Final Demand blitzed his rivals in the opener on day one over 2m6f, putting a dozen lengths between himself and the reliable Wingmen. Mullins has since suggested the 3m Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham is an improbable target for this young horse, with the Turners Novices' Hurdle now seemingly the race for him. Supersundae seemingly didn't get home at the trip, while Jasmin De Vaux and Joystick disappointed to a degree. Lady Vega Allen was best of the Mullins juveniles behind impressive winner Hello Neighbour, while Sainte Lucie surely ran too poorly to be true. Better days await her somewhere this spring. On Sunday, Kopek Des Bordes delivered the star performance of the meeting, routing a Grade 1 field over 2m despite racing keenly for much of the race. An enormous engine lurks and he now dominates the Supreme Novices' Hurdle market, justifiably so. Novice chasers The Irish Arkle was won in dominant fashion by the front-running Majborough in the JP McManus silks under Mark Walsh. He had far too much raw power for his rivals and won in excellent style despite his jumping leaving plenty to be desired. His Cheltenham set-to with Sir Gino is already a mouthwatering prospect. Stablemate Ile Atlantique flopped in the two-miler and his willingness to battle when the going gets tough looks questionable. Ballyburn won the 2m5½f Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase on Sunday afternoon, dispelling worries about his well-being. The step up in trip suited and Paul Townend's partner was assured rather spectacular over his fences - no bad thing. Three miles beckons in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham next month and it will take a good one to stop him with further improvement pending. In the same contest Champ Kiely and Impaire Et Passe were underwhelming, though better ground later in the spring might do the latter a bit of good. Established hurdlers State Man took his third Irish Champion Hurdle title in what was ultimately a huge anti-climax. Townend's partner was doing much better than he did in a lacklustre Christmas defeat here as they duelled with Lossiemouth, but the race was done at halfway when the mare tumbled to the floor. All parties emerged unscathed and, according to Mullins, they'll all move on for a tilt at Constitution Hill in the Cotswolds. Very little was learned in this outing and Nicky Henderson's unbeaten star can sleep soundly. Established chasers Galopin Des Champs made it three Irish Gold Cups and was utterly dominant in doing so. He made the running but had to win his race when the challengers stacked up in behind at the second last. When they jumped the last, this outstanding staying chaser showed what makes him a great. Next stop Cheltenham and his attempt to equal Best Mate with three Gold Cups in the Cotswolds. A would-be heir to his throne, Fact To File, had everything go right on this occasion, settling well for Walsh and coming to challenge late on before flattering to deceive. It's hard to conceive the extra yardage at Cheltenham helping and the Ryanair could be next. So, too, for Gaelic Warrior the intermediate Grade 1 may beckon next month following a laboured third in the Dublin Chase over 2m behind Solness. Mullins and Townend both intimated they felt last year's Arkle winner might be pulled up at one stage on Sunday. It was almost as baffling as his listless run at the DRF last spring, before he utterly dominated in Cheltenham, so there is that note of caution. Grangeclare West ran a blinder to be second in the Irish Gold Cup, but the Cheveley Park inmate will have to prove he can repeat it before too much notice is taken. Meanwhile in the Dublin Chase, El Fabiolo tumbled out as early as the second fence. A school of thought suggests he might take a huge life lesson from that ill-adventure and put it to good use. He'll need a pipe-opener in all probability if he's to shine in the Cotswolds but it's a long spring ahead, with Aintree and Punchestown to come. However, if his DRF mishap does prove educational, this eight-year-old is one to stay on the right side of going forward. Get €60 in FREE BETS with the BetVictor sign up offer:
