Katie Midwinter (07/02/23)
SATURDAY AT LEOPARDSTOWN
The opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival, the Novices’ Hurdle, was an intriguing contest featuring a number of young and exciting novices putting their reputations on the line to take each other on in the 2m6f test.
It was no surprise to see Good Land emerge as a ‘good thing’, striding to victory and putting himself at the top of the Ballymore ante-post betting as another excellent Cheltenham contender for Barry Connell. He was clearly the best on the day and his 3/1 SP represented some value, considering the performance of some others who are currently failing to live up to the hype surrounding them.
The previously unexposed Quais De Paris had only made one appearance for Willie Mullins, in a 2m heavy ground maiden at Tramore. This represented a much tougher assignment and, perhaps due to the jockey booking of Paul Townend, the French-bred gelding was the subject of significant market support, but failed to reimburse backers and faded tamely.
Another disappointment from the Mullins yard was Grangeclare West. He has faced issues and has spent most of his short career off track but made a winning return in November when beating Firm Footings by thirteen-lengths at Navan before being sent off as 15/8 favourite in the Naas Grade One last month.
Stablemate Champ Kiely reigned victorious at the County Kildare track, whilst Grangeclare West could only manage fifth and was reported to be coughing post race. This was a case of concern ahead of his run at Leopardstown, and he perhaps isn’t fully recovered from his issues or may not possess the level of ability expected of him. He does appear to be a horse best watched for now.
Nigel Twiston-Davies had sent over Weveallbeencaught who bravely made the running but couldn’t pose a threat and weakened in the closing stages. He was found to have had a skin wound on his left fore fetlock in post-race reports but was otherwise normal.
Although it was disappointing the manner in which he gave up the fight during the race, it may be worth putting a line through the performance and, whilst he may not be able to compete with the best novice hurdlers in Ireland, he should still be considered one of the best in the British ranks.
Absolute Notions was perhaps the surprise package in the race and may be set for an attempt at the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham next month, potentially facing Sandor Clegane once again.
On a positive note, it was pleasing to see Tekao finish among the places in third in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle. He perhaps wasn’t asked for maximum effort once the proverbial bird had flown, and there could be more to come from him at the Boodles in March, for which he is now as short as 4/1.
Ascending gave a good account of himself in fourth, having made a bad mistake at the last. He is a horse capable of showing more improvement with experience and could be a useful type for Henry de Bromhead.
The main talking point in the race was the defeat of Lossiemouth, who found trouble in running having tracked her stablemate and 125/1 outsider Jourdefete, also representing owner Rich Ricci, who made the running but weakened quickly, leaving the previously unbeaten filly trapped on the rail with nowhere to go.
Lossiemouth found herself at the rear of the field and had to take the wider route to make up ground on her rivals, with eventual winner Gala Marceau having benefited from getting first run which allowed her to reverse form with the filly who had beaten her at the track in December.
It’s worth keeping the faith in Lossiemouth and she remains favourite for next month’s Triumph Hurdle at Prestbury Park. Although she is no longer unbeaten, she lost nothing in a luckless run and may have learnt plenty from being on the back foot for perhaps the first time in her career.
Whilst all the attention will be on Lossiemouth, credit should be given to Gala Marceau who is herself a talented filly and should be in consideration if she does line up in the Triumph. The improving four-year-old kept galloping to the line and wasn’t slowing down.
Possibly the best and most informative race of the weekend in Dublin, the Irish Arkle didn’t disappoint.
El Fabiolo reigned victorious, showing much improvement in his jumping and an impressive engine. The six-year-old gelding emerged as the biggest threat to Jonbon in the Arkle at Cheltenham, making it a more exciting betting proposition and race.
Appreciate It could only manage third, headed towards the line by the rallying Banbridge, and may appreciate a step up in trip in future, lacking the speed required to be as competitive as expected in this contest.
Dysart Dynamo made the running and appeared to settle better than he often does, getting into a comfortable rhythm. He was unable to match the speed of his stablemate El Fabiolo, but was closely matched with Appreciate It.
Away from the winner, the most impressive performance in the race was by Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge. The ground he made up on the eventual third and fourth after jumping the last was quite spectacular. Both Mullins horses were staying on all out and Banbridge managed to show an electric turn of foot to pass them both before the line.
He is set to line up in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, for which he would have to be in consideration. The step up in trip will suit and the course form is a positive factor.
Saint Roi unfortunately unseated after the fifth fence. It’ll be interesting to see where he lines up next and he remains a horse of interest in such Graded contests.
The feature race on the first day of the exceptional festival was the Irish Gold Cup, in which Galopin Des Champs put his Cheltenham Gold Cup credentials to the test against closest market rival and stablemate Stattler.
The odds-on favourite didn’t disappoint and was given an educational ride by Townend, who finally landed a winner on the card and provided trainer Willie Mullins with his twelfth success in the race.
Galopin Des Champs jumped well, quickened when asked and extended away from his rivals with ease, yet left a few feeling slightly underwhelmed. Perhaps some fans expected to see him beat 163-rated Stattler at a canter, or be miles ahead of 161-rated Fury Road who appeared as the biggest threat in the closing stages before making a mistake at the last.
Many had doubted his stamina capabilities, despite having previously won over 3m, but the step up an extra quarter-mile at Cheltenham doesn’t appear to be out of his reach as he coped well with this task and didn’t look to be tiring. The Cheltenham Gold Cup will of course be a much hotter race, and he’ll face more proven rivals in a competitive field.
A Plus Tard hasn’t been seen to his best yet this season, but if able to return to full fitness before March he should be the one to beat once again. A proven horse over course and distance and the reigning champion, it’s difficult to imagine a horse being good enough to beat him if he was able to replicate the form he showed in last season’s win.
Grand National hero Noble Yeats has shown a turn of foot and touch of class putting him in contention for the prestigious prize, but he hasn’t been at his best in two trips to Cheltenham so far and will have to prove himself at the track.
King George VI winner Bravemansgame shouldn’t be forgotten and his impeccable jumping ability could give him the edge in March, whilst Ahoy Senor put himself firmly back in the conversation with his Cotswold Chase win at the track last month.
There are plenty of others who shouldn’t be underestimated and the race is shaping up to be an epic battle between a number of high-quality horses. However, at this stage Galopin Des Champs has done very little wrong to discourage potential backers, and he will certainly be towards the top of the market, all being well, on the day of the race.
SUNDAY AT LEOPARDSTOWN
Mighty Potter was mightily impressive in the Novice Chase in Sunday’s first Grade One on the card, and put himself firmly at the top of the ante-post Turners Novices’ Chase market. He jumped well and stayed on strongly, facing little competition with 40/1 outsider the nearest rival in second.
The six-year-old gelding may be one of the best that Cullentra have to offer heading to the Festival, and could be their most fancied horse of the week, bar Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase.
Gaillard Du Mesnil was slightly disappointing in third following his fortuitous Grade One success at Leopardstown in a race marred with tragedy. It remains to be seen whether or not he is quite good enough to be considered a Grade One level horse over fences and is likely to attempt the Grade Two National Hunt Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
More will be required and he may be worth taking on if a formidable rival does line up against him. He seems to lack an injection of speed in the latter stages of a race, instead staying on one-paced. That shouldn’t be enough to see him win with ease at the Festival and he will need to show improvement.
Stablemate Adamantly Chosen gave a good account of himself once again in Grade One company and has been given a 3lbs rise, now rated at a mark of 152. He could be one to keep an eye on in future races and is currently a single figure price for the Plate.
Other Mullins’ runners included James Du Berlais and Kilcruit, who both disappointed. I Am Maximus raced away from the others, but couldn’t get into contention.
Another short-priced Willie Mullins favourite was overturned in the Dublin Chase, as 1/4 shot Blue Lord suffered a shock defeat to stablemate Gentleman De Mee. The winner, partnered by Danny Mullins stepping in for jockey Mark Walsh who had to be stood down following a fall earlier on in the day, showed a great amount of improvement on his previous runs over fences in open company.
His talent was obvious, but he had yet to show it this season following a fruitful novice campaign last year in which he beat Edwardstone in the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree. He has shortened significantly in the betting for the Champion Chase, now as short as 6/1.
The runner-up was less than impressive attempting his fourth Grade One in six runs and will cast doubts over his Cheltenham credentials. He could well bounce back and put this race behind him but he’ll need to show more zest and enjoyment.
A competitive Grade A Handicap Chase was the fourth race on the card and provided Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell with a double on the day, as well-handicapped The Goffer proved his worth dropped down in class.
As big as 20/1 on the morning of the race, the winner was sent off at odds of 10/1 and ran on well to beat the field under a great Russell ride, and has subsequently been given a 9lbs rise.
English interest Top Ville Ben, the likeable eleven-year-old of Philip Kirby’s and famous for his giant ears, gave an excellent account of himself in third. He was close to the pace from the off, as hoped, and was able to finish strongly enough to earn himself a placed finish.
The most anticipated clash of the weekend came in the Irish Champion Hurdle as three-time champion Honeysuckle attempted to retain her crown against the young, improving Mullins pair of State Man and Vauban. The popular mare went out on her shield in her Irish swansong, giving her best but unable to stay in touch with eventual winner State Man, who made all, as the field turned for home.
It was disappointing for fans of the former champion, who had hoped to witness a return to the winners’ enclosure for the Henry de Bromhead-trained nine-year-old following her first ever defeat in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December. All roads now lead to Cheltenham for a final farewell in the Mares’ Hurdle, not the race she has won in the last two renewals, the Champion Hurdle.
Whilst many will question the decision to send such a champion to the apparent easier route at the Festival, it could be the right decision by connections who will want their superstar to bow out on a victory.
The Mares’ Hurdle will be no easy task for Honeysuckle, as she’s set to face a number of formidable rivals all capable of being good enough to beat her if she is no longer at the same level, however her performance on Sunday showed she still retains plenty of ability. She is no match for State Man, and likely Constitution Hill, at this stage in her career but a final goodbye to her faithful supporters in a race she has a good chance of winning is the chosen path, and may be the most fitting way in which to pay tribute to a mare who has captured the hearts of so many racing fans.
State Man has set up a mouthwatering Champion Hurdle clash with Constitution Hill on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. Whilst Constitution Hill has looked impossible to beat, he is yet to face a horse the calibre of the improving State Man.
A match-up between the pair will be difficult to predict but is sure to be an exciting contest.
Vauban ran well behind State Man once again but showed he perhaps lacks the ability at this moment, in his first season following a juvenile campaign. He is certainly an exciting prospect for the future, already going toe-to-toe with Honeysuckle on Sunday and managing to stay in touch with State Man for much of the run-in when needing the run here in December.
Pied Piper put in a more promising performance following a tailed-off attempt in the Matheson Hurdle. He is much better than he showed there and it was pleasing to see him able to be more competitive and showing his obvious talent.
The Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle was perhaps the strangest race of the two-day meeting.
Odds-on favourite for the contest, and long time favourite for the Supreme, Facile Vega and former Ballydoyle resident High Definition flew off in the 2m contest, going at a frantic pace that proved detrimental to both. The latter, who has shown class but a lack of fluency over obstacles in one race for new yard since switching disciplines, unseated his rider at the fourth flight after a slight mistake.
Facile Vega continued on, making a couple of mistakes before giving up the fight in the closing stages. The son of Quevega weakened quickly with the effects of the early pace clearly taking its toll.
He is now as big as 4/1 for the Supreme and appears much more exposed. It’s likely he’ll be able to bounce back to form at a more durable pace at Prestbury Park, but it remains to be seen whether or not he’ll be good enough to emulate his mother and become a dual-Cheltenham Festival winner.
The winner at Leopardstown Il Etait Temps did well to pick up the pieces once the race fell apart and could rival his stablemate once again if he lines up in the Supreme. He is one to consider but may struggle with a slower run race, as he did in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.
Potential Ballymore runner Irish Point was held up from the outset and became detached early on with Russell choosing to ride his mount at a more comfortable pace. He was pushed along in the closing stages but couldn’t close the gap on his rivals and should be forgiven his fourth-placed finish.
A step back up in trip could suit and he could certainly be competitive in the Ballymore if connections do opt to take that route.
The final handicap on the card, the Grade B Liffey Handicap Hurdle, was won by odds-on favourite Gaelic Warrior.
It’s unknown where he’ll go next at Cheltenham, with a number of races a possibility, but he must be respected wherever he lines up.
His stablemate Fun Fun Fun won the final race of the fantastic meeting, recording a Grade Two win in the I.N.H Flat Race, convincingly beating Lily Du Berlais and putting her name into contention for the Champion Bumper.
It was a fantastic Dublin Racing Festival, with great action on track and a wonderful, lively atmosphere in the stands. Attendance was up 40 per cent from 2022, with the meeting attracting a total 34,591 people across the two days of action.
Many made the trip over the Irish Sea to witness the action in person and fans saw many of the sport’s top stars in full flow. There were numerous clues ahead of next month’s Cheltenham Festival that kicks off in five weeks time with anticipation already building. This Leopardstown spectacle certainly whets the appetite for the Prestbury Park exhibition.
THE CONDITIONAL 