The Dublin Racing Festival 2026 at Leopardstown promises exciting horse racing action. Key tips for the festival highlight Addragoole in the 4:05pm race due to his recent form, and Jalon D'Oudairies each way in the 1:15pm, with expectations of improved performance in the extended trip and heavy ground. Grann's Boy is another pick, expected to excel in the 2:25pm handicap hurdle, benefiting from his strong finishing capability. While some races are best observed without wagers, these selections present opportunities for potentially rewarding bets.
Here are our Dublin Racing Festival tips, race by race selections for the second day of this two-day meeting at Leopardstown.
With the ground at Leopardstown deemed unraceable on Saturday, the Irish Gold Cup card will now take place on Monday instead. Here are our best betting tips for the full card.
By his lofty standard, Willie Mullins has had a fairly poor season so far. Most of his runners over Christmas underperformed. However, the Champion Trainer is back striking at 30% coming into the Dublin Racing Festival - a meeting he usually dominates. I see no reason why that won't be the case again this year.
With that in mind, Doctor Steinberg looks to have an excellent chance in the opener, especially after Thedeviluno boosted his form at Doncaster this weekend. Yet, I'm always on the look out for alternatives against short-priced favourites, and I could see a world where JALON D'OUDAIRIES (20/1) runs well enough to hit the frame.
Gordon Elliott's star won his point-to-point and first two starts in bumpers, before finishing third as the favourite in the 2024 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Jalon D'Oudairies then spent a year off the track, and has returned this term with two runner-up finishes in novice hurdles.
Jordan Gainford's mount always looked outpaced on his reappearance over two miles, and couldn't find an extra gear when beaten by Frankie John here at Leopardstown over Christmas. There's no doubt that Jalon D'Oudairies will improve for this extended trip, and heavy ground will bring his stamina to the fore.
I'm unlikely to have a bet in this Grade One. Narciso Has is the obvious winner, but I won't be backing anything that's as short as 8/11 this weekend. Bertutua is interesting given his recent heavy ground win at Limerick, but with only two places available, there's no scope for an each-way punt.
The only runner that I'm willing to chance in this three-mile handicap hurdle is GRANN'S BOY (22/1). Harry Roger's six-year-old caused an upset at Fairyhouse's Easter Festival, carrying odds of 33/1 to victory in a two-and-a-half-mile novices' handicap hurdle.
Grann's Boy proved that was no fluke when scoring at Listowel's Harvest Festival. Darragh O'Keeffe's mount then won a two-mile flat handicap at Thurles, before going close when second to Sportinthepark on his most recent outing over hurdles at Galway in October.
What I like about Grann's Boy is the way he finishes out his races, and Roger's six-year-old looks sure to see out this three-mile trip. O'Keeffe's mount won at Fairyhouse on the back of an even longer absence, and could still be open to further progress.
2:55pm Leopardstown - Irish Arkle Tips
Again, no bet for me in this Grade One. I did back Romeo Coolio at 3/1 last week, and Gordon Elliott's star is now the 1/2 favourite. Kargese hasn't impressed me over fences and Downmexicoway is more of a handicap prospect than a Grade One winner in waiting.
Romeo Coolio faces just two rivals in the 2026 Irish Arkle. (Getty)
Western Diego is a chaser on the up and deserves his spot at the head of the market. The same can be said for ADDRAGOOLE (8/1), whose victory here at Christmas came when Gavin Cromwell's stable was terribly out of form.
Having beaten Blaze The Way on his third start over fences at Sligo, Addragoole was caught too far back when fourth behind Alnilam at Cheltenham in October. Under a more positive ride from Kieran Buckley, Cromwell's chaser travelled ominously well throughout the Racing Post Handicap on Boxing Day, and was merely idling as Release The Beast made a race of it in the closing stages.
Cromwell's novice received a ten-pound rating hike for that victory, but Staples' claimer reduces that rise by half. The ground remains Yielding To Soft on the chase course at Leopardstown, and any further drying of the ground would boost Addragoole's chances.
4:40pm Leopardstown - I.N.H. Flat Race Tips
I rarely bet in bumpers, so I'm happy to leave the last alone.
Verdict
DRF 2026 Top Tips:
Best Bet1: Addragoole 4:05pm Leopardstown @8/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Jalon D'Oudairies E/W 1:15pm Leopardstown @20/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet3: Grann's Boy E/W 2:25pm Leopardstown @22/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
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