Dublin Racing Festival Eyecatchers The Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown has become one of the key meetings in the National Hunt season. In 2024, 11 horses that appeared at the two-day Leopardstown jamboree went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival a little over a month later. With the 2025 DRF now in the books, we're taking a look at three eyecatchers that didn't win but could be ones to watch come Cheltenham next month. Storm Heart Storm Heart was sent off favourite for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at this meeting in 2024 and finished second to stablemate Kargese. This time, the Gigginstown House inmate was back from 274 days off when finishing second in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle over two miles on Sunday behind well-backed favourite McLaurey from the Emmet Mullins team. Willie Mullins' charge, meanwhile, was coming home strongly under Paul Townend at the line, beaten a length at the post in the 18-runner Listed contest. He did so off a mark of 140 and, even should the UK handicapper apply some increase on that, he is one to keep an eye on for the Cheltenham Festival handicaps, with the County Hurdle a possible or the Coral Cup upped in trip. Patter Merchant Gordon Elliott didn't get on the scoresheet at the Dublin Racing Festival, the Cullentra House handler having opted to sidestep the meeting with some of his big guns. On Saturday, he saw Patter Merchant finish fifth in the 25-runner Listed Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle over three miles. The Walk In The Park gelding was a maiden hurdle winner at Galway over 2m5½f on soft ground in October on his hurdles bow. He contested Graded novice events at Navan over 2m/2m4f on his next two starts before a novices' handicap hurdle at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival over 2m4f. He made some headway in this three-miler before tiring in the home straight. A drop back in trip could be ideal and he's one that could take in a handicap race in the Cotswolds rather than a graded contest. Marine Nationale Though Solness won the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase on Sunday, there was lots for trainer Barry Connell to be pleased about in regards to Marine Nationale finishing second. Once again, Solness was allowed to grab a healthy early advantage and when it got down to brass tacks late on, Marine Nationale and Sean Flanagan were the only ones closing. They didn't quite get there but Connell now believes he is heading to Cheltenham with the best Irish-trained prospect of toppling Jonbon in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The 2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner missed the Festival last March but is improving after just five starts over fences. Solness surely won't be afforded another easy lead come the Cotswolds showpiece and Marine Nationale's jumping has been improving in three runs this season. He was well clear of the 2024 Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior on this occasion and his trainer is looking onwards and upwards. "That's only his fifth run over fences, the ninth of his life. The big thing I took out of Christmas was his round of jumping and I thought he was even better again, he's having a real cut now, which is what you need to do over two miles," Connell said. Get €40 in Free Bets with the William Hill sign up offer: How to claim your William Hill Free Bets Click on the ‘Claim Here’ button above. Enter the required details and create your username and password Make a deposit of €10 or more using a card and place a bet on a sportsbook market with odds of 1/2 or greater You will be rewarded with €40 in free bets with William Hill William Hill Terms and Conditions New customers using Promo code BB40 only Minimum €10 stake. Minimum odds 1/2, free bets paid as 4 x €10. Free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet. Free bets will expire 7 days after the qualifying bet is placed. payment method/player/country restrictions apply. 18+. Full T&Cs apply Please gamble responsibly. 18+. GambleAware.org
