Ante-post tips for the 2024 Dublin Racing Festival
This popular meeting takes place at Leopardstown on February 3rd and 4th
Nurburgring, Il Etait Temps and Gentleman De Mee feature in our selections
Danny Mullins riding Gentleman De Mee clear the last to win The Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown. (Getty)
The Dublin Racing Festival will take place over the weekend of February 3rd and 4th, and National Hunt racing fans on both sides of the Irish Sea are eagerly awaiting two fantastic days of action at Leopardstown.
Today, I've taken a look through the ante-post markets for the Grade One races at the Dublin Racing Festival and picked out four betting tips.
The Grade One races at the Dublin Racing Festival are often dominated by Willie Mullins. Ireland's Champion Trainer accounts for 13 of the 24 entries for this two-and-three-quarter mile contest, including the first six names in the betting, which is headed by the talented Predators Gold.
I'm a big fan of the market leader, but at the current prices I'm happy to side with HIGH CLASS HERO (5/1), who could be the best of Willie's staying novices this season. Mullins' seven-year-old made a winning bumper debut in June and has since scored three times over hurdles, powering to victory in a Listed contest when last seen in October.
Summer form is often underestimated when the high-profile National Hunt action gets underway. High Class Hero comfortably saw off the ill-fated Kinbara in that bumper at Listowel and defeated rivals rated in the 130s in each of his three hurdles wins. Paul Townend's mount barely came out of second gear when defeating The Big Doyen on his most recent run at Limerick, where the ground might have been a little too soft for his liking. High Class Hero could be the one to side with in what's sure to be a competitive affair.
2024 Spring Juvenile Hurdle Tips
Willie Mullins holds some eye-catching entries in this juvenile Grade One too. Impressive Punchestown winner, Storm Heart tops the market, while French recruits Salvador Mundi, Anzadam and Majborough would certainly be worth watching, should any of them be confirmed to make their Irish debuts.
Kala Conti claimed Grade Two glory at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and she'll fly the flag for Gordon Elliott. Joseph O'Brien's NURBURGRING (10/1) ran a blinder to finish a close third under a penalty that day, yet he can currently be backed at a double-figure price.
Nurburgring saw off Kala Conti when the two met at Fairyhouse on Hatton's Grace day. Richie Deegan's mount had to give Gordon Elliott's filly an extra six pounds over Christmas, but was still only beaten by less than a length and Nurburgring was gaining on the winner with every stride in the closing stages. Given the price differential between the two, Joseph's juvenile holds plenty of appeal in the ante-post market.
Danny Mullins riding Il Etait Temps clear the last to win The Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown Racecourse. (Getty)
2024 Irish Arkle Novice Chase Tips
Marine Nationale couldn't have been more impressive when making a winning chasing debut over Christmas. Barry Connell's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner jumped beautifully out in front and kept on strongly after the last to seal an eight-length triumph.
Despite the obvious strength of the market leader, I'm more interested in backing IL ETAIT TEMPS (8/1)
. Willie Mullins' star has produced seasons-best performances at the last two Dublin Racing Festivals, finishing a good third behind Vauban and Fil Dor on his Irish debut in the 2022 Spring Juvenile, before romping to a ten-length victory in the Grade One 2m Novice Hurdle here at Leopardstown 12 months ago.
Il Etait Temps jumped well when making a winning chasing debut at Thurles in November. Mullins' star then put up a valiant performance in defeat to Gaelic Warrior at Limerick over Christmas, where the after-the-line spat between Patrick and Danny Mullins overshadowed his performance. Willie looks set to play a strong hand in the 21-furlong Novice Chase on day two, so I would be amazed if Il Etait Temps didn't drop back to two miles and provide Marine Nationale with his sternest test yet.
2024 Dublin Chase Tips
El Fabiolo is scheduled to meet Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase this weekend. Sub-zero temperatures meant that the Clarence House was moved to Trials Day at Cheltenham last season and similar weather could see Ascot cancel their card for a second year in a row. Willie Mullins ran Energumene in the rescheduled Clarence House 12 months ago, but stated earlier this week that El Fabiolo wouldn't travel over to England twice in the space of two weeks, meaning he could end up running in the Dublin Chase, should Saturday's action at Ascot fall foul to the weather.
If El Fabiolo did turn up at the Dublin Racing Festival, then I'd expect the Champion Chase favourite to run out a clear winner. If Ascot's card goes ahead, however, the Dublin Chase market could be blown wide-open and GENTLEMAN DE MEE'S (10/1) current price is sure to plummet.
Willie Mullins' eight-year-old extended his excellent record during the second half of the season by thrashing Blue Lord by seven lengths in this race last season. Gentleman De Mee ran well in defeat to Dinoblue in the Grade One here at Leopardstown over Christmas and a glance through his resume will tell you that Mullins' eight-year-old improves plenty for his seasonal reappearance. Paul Townend's mount wouldn't have enjoyed the extra juice in the ground over Christmas either, so quicker going during the Dublin Racing Festival would certainly suit.
Verdict
2024 Dublin Racing Festival Ante-Post Tips:
Best Bet1: High Class Hero 3/2/24 1:20pm Leopardstown @5/1 at bet365 - 10 Units
Best Bet2: Nurburgring 3/2/24 1:50pm Leopardstown @10/1 at Boylesports - 10 Units
Best Bet3: Il Etait Temps 3/2/24 2:25pm Leopardstown @8/1 at BoyleSports - 10 Units
Best Bet4: Gentleman De Mee 4/2/24 2:10pm Leopardstown @10/1 at Hollywood bets - 10 Units
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