Going update for Dublin Racing Festival The Dublin Racing Festival continues at Leopardstown today and the going remains heavy (on hurdle course) and soft (on chase track) after a dry day and night. Fresh ground in use on both tracks. A mainly dry day is forecast. The seven-race card gets under way with the Grade One Nathaniel Lacy Solicitors Novice Hurdle at 1.15pm. Jalon D'oudairies is a non runner in this €150,000 contest. Galopin Des Champs chases historic fourth Gold Cup The featured Grade One Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at 3.30pm sees Galopin Des Champs gunning for four in-a-row in this blue-riband contest. Willie Mullins' charge faces challenges from stablemates Gaelic Warrior, Fact To File, I Am Maximus and the mare Spindleberry, in addition to Noel Meade's Affordale Fury - the winner of the Savills Steeplechase in Foxrock over Christmas. Mange Tout and Narciso Has clash again in the Grade One Gannon's City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (1.50pm) after the former beat the latter into second in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse at the end of November. Narciso Has has been chalked up as favourite today as he has since landed a course and distance Grade 2 by 11 lengths over Christmas. Top-weight Staffordshire Knot has been ruled out of the Race And Stay Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle at 2.25pm.
