I’m looking forward to being at day two of the DRF for four Grade 1s and hopefully some decent pointers for Cheltenham, let alone high quality racing in its own right.

The big race entries came out today, so what have we got in store? All comments are subject to which horses actually turn up.

Saturday

13:20 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m6f

Final Demand is the current favourite at 3/1 for WP. A point winner last March at 5/4f. He won his maiden hurdle at Limerick on 28 December very easily but the form doesn’t mean much. By top sire Walk In The Park, this is his first proper test.

Sounds Victorius (4/1), also for WP, should come on well from his hard fought maiden win at Fairyhouse after his fourth in the Champion Bumper.

Supersundae (WP) was well backed when beaten by The Yellow Clay (GE) in the Lawlors of Naas Grade 1 novices’ hurdle last Sunday but shaped well to improve. I was suprised by The Yellow Clay’s win but he’s chasing a five timer so has to be respected. It’s notable that he’s currently favourite for the Martin Pipe and that might be his level.

Bleu De Vassy (GE) was well beaten by Romeo Coolio in the Grade 1 2m Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on 27 December but may suit the longer trip.

Jasmin De Vaux beat Romeo Coolio to win the Champion Bumper but has not taken at all to jumping and can’t be backed on that basis.

13:50 Gannon’s Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Hello Neighbour (3/1jf) (Gavin Cromwell) won the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, only just beating Lady Vega Allen (10/1). Hard to judge on that run, not least because of the fog.

Sainte Lucie (3/1jf) was an impressive winner of a maiden on New Year’s Eve at Punchestown, is highly regarded and my current idea of the winner.

14:55 Goffs Irish Arkle (Grade 1) 2m1f

Majborough (8/11f) was mightily impressive in his beginners’ chase last month and is currently 7/2 for the Cheltenham version. He’s the only serious threat to Sir Gino and much will depend on this performance.

Ile Atlantique (3/1) was OK when winning a Grade 2 at Naas last Sunday, beating Firefox and disappointing Inthepocket, who are third and fourth in the market for this one.

15:30 Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 1/2f

I’m not sure which ones will turn up here so here are the current market leaders:

  • Galopin Des Champs (4/5f)
  • Fact To File (7/2)
  • Embassy Gardens (10/1)
  • Gerri Colombe (10/1)
  • Monty’s Star (10/1)

Sunday

13:10 Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m 5 1/2f

Ballyburn (7/4f) was by common consent identified as needing further when being well beaten by Sir Gino in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase on 27 December. This race will answer that question. He made a bad mistake at the last so jumping will also be under scrutiny. Currently 7/2f for the Brown Advisory (formerly the RSA) at Cheltenham.

Impaire Et Passe (100/30) seems not to have received the credit due for his last four wins in the Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1), Select Hurdle (Grade 2), Geginners Chase and, most recently in the Faugheen Novice Chase (Grade 1). He’s my choice at this stage.

Croke Park (14/1) is on a four timer and noteworthy.

13:40 Tattersalls Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Salvator Mundi (7/1) is the current favourite for the Supreme (6/1). He’s also entered in the Moscow Flyer (Grade 2) this Sunday so much depends on which option he takes up, having been last seen when easily winning his maiden at Tipperary last May.

Kopek Des Bordes (3/1jf) won his maiden at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day and is highly regarded by his yard (WP). I suspect the Salvator Mundi may run on Sunday (subject to the weather), leaving the way clear for this one here.

Kaid D’Authie (3/1jf) is also at the head of the market for WP/JP and won a maiden at Leopardstown on 28 December. I wasn’t bowled over by the performance but there’s room for improvement so he’s a contender.

Romeo Coolio (4/1) won the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on 27 December, beating Bleu De Vassy well enough. Another I’m not entirely convinced about, yet…

14:10 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase Grade 1) 2m 1f

This has the makings of a great race if they all turn up with no clear favourite in my view.

Energumene is the right joint favourite at 2/1 but he’s an 11yo and needs to show he’s still got it after his so so return in the Hilly Way (Grade 2) at Cork on 8 December.

Gaelic Warrior is the other joint favourite but was soundly beaten by Solness at 28/1 in a Grade 1. For me, he’s a talented but unreliable sort with inadequate jumping.

Banbridge (6/1) had absolutely everything in his favour when winning the King George at 7/1. He was 9th in the Ryanair and 4th in the Fortria and I think that they are better indicators. I’m not sure that he’ll turn up here.

El Fabiolo (8/1) is on a retrieval mission after being pulled up in the Champion Chase and making several mistakes when beaten by Jonbon in the Celebration Chase. Undoubtedly has talent but one to watch.

Found A Fifty (10/1) won the Fortria, beating Solness (12/1) and Senecia (200/1) so that form is dubious. He was pulled up in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on 27 December (may have bled) so is another one to watch.

Marine Nationale (12/1) was vaunted as the next coming star but has singularly failed to live up to the hype.

15:20 Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

And we save the best until last.

Much depends on the declarations but this could be a corker. Here are the market leaders:

  • Lossiemouth 11/8f
  • Brighterdaysahead 6/4
  • State Man 3/1
  • Anzadam 6/1
  • Kargese 10/1
  • Dysart Enos 20/1

Lossiemouth‘s no show in the Christmas Hurdle behind Constitution Hill was too bad to be true. I think that she’s still a serious contender.

Brighterdaysahead could not have been more impressive when winning the Neville Hotel Hurdle (Grade 1) but was it a fluke?

State Man has been great and is the defending Champion Hurdler but does he retain the ability to return to the top? On reflection, last year’s Champion Hurdle was a very poor renewal (Irish Point second, Luccia third, Zarak The Brave fourth, Colonel Mustard fifth)

Anzadam is an unbeaten unknown, having won a Grade 3 last November but is massively highly regarded. Possibly the revelation of the weekend.

Kargese is for me a highly underrated horse. Won the Grade 1 Irish Champion 4yo Hurdle (as did Quatre Heures), second to Sir Gino in the Aintree Grade 1 4yo hurdle, second to Majborough in the Triumph Hurdle, beat Majborough in the Grade 1 Leopardstown Spring Juvenile Hurdle. That is some CV.

Looking forward to great racing.