Sunday preview: Dublin Racing Festival

Willie Mullins won a staggering five of the eight contests on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival last year and he holds the aces once again. Following a four-timer in the Grade 1 contests on Saturday, Mullins attempts to emulate that success on Sunday. State Man, El Fabiolo, Ballyburn and Gaelic Warrior are short-priced favourites for the four Grade 1 contests on the card.

There were however, winners at 10-1, 15-2 and 16-1 on last year’s card so there is still value to be found at Leopardstown and bet365 are offering you €30 in free bets to boost your betting purse. bet365 recently announced its non-runner no bet on ALL Cheltenham Festival races.

Casting an eye over the card, it offers up plenty of opportunity to place a bet at decent prices.

The opener provides just that as twenty line up in this competitive Listed Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last five years and saddles Shecouldbeanything at around 7-1. She carries top weight but claimer Danny Gilligan takes a handy 5lb off her back. Stablemate Media Neranja is the mount of Jack Kennedy at 25-1 for Bective Stud, who won this race with smart mare Party Central in 2022.

Foxy Girl is current favourite for Henry de Bromhead and the Robcour team, she goes well fresh and is lightly raced, while Risk Belle for Willie Mullins, was third behind Jetara last time and holds good form.

At a bigger price Broomfield Bijou, from the family of Anibale Fly and a Punchestown Festival winner, has been super consistent. She is sure to handle the hustle and bustle of the big field and in first-time cheekpieces, is interesting each way.

In the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over two miles, Ballyburn is the evens favourite for Willie Mullins and arguably boasts the best form in the race. Robcour, however, have built a stellar team of horses and Slade Steel is one of them.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead, he has struck on four of his five starts only having been beaten by Ballyburn in a bumper, when he was luckless in running. In a Grade 2 at Navan last time he got the better of talented trio Lecky Watson, Stellar Story and Better Days Ahead on heavy ground. His trainer stated after the race that he would be better on nicer ground. He could serve it up to the market leader.

Later on the card, the Grade 3 handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs promises to be a spectacle with 25 heading to post. The selection is Inothewayurthinkin for Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus, who looks well handicapped under 10st 9lb. Gavin Cromwell has his team in excellent form and this progressive type finished third behind Gaelic Warrior at Limerick last time. His connections stated in the past he will stay further, his jumping is good and he tries his hardest, an admirable quality in any horse.

Heart Wood, another for Robcour and Henry de Bromhead, has finished 2nd on his last three starts and is one to keep an eye on under Rachael Blackmore. Most recently, the light-raced type gave Blood Destiny a race. He is on the up and could still have plenty in hand.