Sunday’s instalment of The Dublin Racing Festival goes ahead – we preview the four grade one contests on the card.
Following a deluge of rain, and the abandonment of yesterday’s instalment, racing goes ahead thanks to tireless work from Leopardstown’s grounds team.
Currently, the going is heavy on the hurdles course and soft on the chase track.
The first of eight races on the card is due to start at 12:40.
dublin racing festval preview – sunday, february 1, 2026
13:10 ladbrokes novices chase
A two-mile, five-and-a-half-furlong contest with just four runners, Willie Mullins’ Final Demand is the current 2-7 favourite.
The seven-year-old was a dual grade one winner over hurdles last season – including at the Dublin Racing Festival.
He’s made an impressive start to life over fences, winning comfortably at Navan on chase debut, before scoring in a grade one at Christmas.
With the ground seemingly no issue, and his obvious class, he’ll be hard to beat today.
Kaid d’Authie finished runner-up to Kitzbuhel, before winning next time out at Fairyhouse.
The six-year-old will have to be a more assured jumper than Kitzbuhel showed yesterday at Sandown if he’s to challenge his stablemate.
Western Fold is a heavy-ground winner who won four-in-a-row before a solid run in a Down Royal grade one in November.
Jimmy Du Seuil has an awful lot to find on Final Demand, following his Limerick efforts.
Selection – final demand 2/7F
13:40 tattersalls ireland novice hurdle
12 runners go to post for the two-mile contest, with €88,500 going to the winner.
Ballyfad is three-from-three under rules, including victory over Leader d’Allier, who since impressed when winning at Punchestown.
It’s been a great season for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott – who could partner another Gigginstown winner this afternoon.
There are questions to be asked about Talk The Talk‘s jumping abilities, following mistakes at Limerick and a fall, last time.
But two victories and having the race at his mercy last time out bode well for his chances, if his jumping can keep up with the engine.
There is a lot to like about King Rasko Grey and The Reverend following maiden victories, in what looks to be a wide open contest.
selection – ballyfad 10/3
14:10 ladbrokes dublin chase
Champion Chase winner, Marine Nationale is favourite of six runners for the two-mile, one-furlong Dublin Chase.
There are questions over how he handles the ground today, but there’s no doubting he’s the one to beat here.
Solness beat the Barry Connell-trained star here, at Christmas, though today’s market leader was arguably not at his best that day.
Majborough finished third in the Christmas contest between the trio, but today’s ground holds no question marks, with cheekpieces added.
Found A Fifty found these three too hot last time, but holds claims on previous victories.
Energumene will handle the ground, but seems a long way from his best and along with Senecia is one of the easier horses to oppose.
selection – solness 5/1
15:20 timeless sash windows irish champion chase
Rounding off the grade one action on Sunday is the two-mile Irish Champion Hurdle.
Lossiemouth is odds-on in the famous Rich Ricci silks, following victory over Brighterdaysahead here art Christmas.
The latter lines up again, but will need to find best form to challenge this time.
El Fabiolo beat Spillane’s Tower, who won the Cotswold Chase impressively and back over hurdles can mount a challenge.
Completing the field of five are Anzadam and Poniros, who will both need to settle better if mounting a challenge to this small but classy field.
Leave a Reply