Dublin Racing Festival Day One Tips: @RoadCheltenham's Best Bets At Leopardstown

Declarations are in for the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival and I’ve looked at all seven races at Leopardstown on Saturday. Here, you can find my thoughts on each race and fingers crossed I can put readers on the right track to backing a few winners this weekend.

1.15pm Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle

While I believe Doctor Steinberg will be very difficult to beat, I’ve opted to look for an each way angle and SANTO SOSPIR is the one I’ve landed on. He’s acted well on soft ground in previous runs and the Robcour-owned runner could improve for the big step up in trip.

5-year-olds have a good record in this race, winning six of the last 13 renewals, and he is one of two youngsters in the field. With just four runs under rules, he is a hugely talented prospect for the future and is worth an each way play. Jack Kennedy chooses Kazansky, which is a slight negative, but Sean Bowen is capable of riding him into the places.

1.50pm – Gannon's City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle

The two at the head of the market are closely matched on Fairyhouse form and I’ve opted to look down the betting and BERTUTEA is the one I’ve landed on. Sean O’Keeffe steered him to victory at Limerick the last day and I was delighted to see him retain the partnership for Saturday’s Grade 1.

Paul Townend may have decided to ride stablemate Selma De Vary but you’d be taking a chance on the filly as she makes her first start since joining Willie Mullins. Instead, I’ve gone with the solid – if not spectacular – option and hopefully he can be the one to offer the biggest challenge to the market leaders.

2.25pm – Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle

A horse that has frustrated me on several occasions over the past few years, I’m willing to give SON OF ANARCHY one last chance as he’s been crying out for this trip and he’ll love the soft conditions underfoot. He ran an eye-catching race at Navan just a fortnight ago and that should put him spot on for this weekend.

Running off a mark of 130, he’ll have the services of Jack Kennedy in the saddle as Mark Walsh sided with County Final. If Kazansky prevails in the opening race, it may be worth considering the Eric McNamara horse in this race given the pair were separated by a head in a Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas.

2.55pm – Irish Arkle

Willie Mullins relies on KARGESE in the Irish Arkle on Saturday afternoon and she could do Romeo Coolio for toe at the business end of the race. A proper two-miler, she was lethal over her obstacles last time out and her defeat to Kala Conti on debut could look smart enough if Gordon Elliott’s runner wins the Scilly Isles at Sandown.

With doubts over Romeo Coolio as an out-and-out two mile chaser, Kargese is available at a nice price and it’ll be interesting to see if she can topple the odds-on favourite. Her form stacks up well and she was second to Majborough on heavy ground in the 2024 Triumph Hurdle so that should be no issue this weekend.

3.30pm – Irish Gold Cup

All eyes will be on Galopin Des Champs as he seeks a fourth Irish Gold Cup but fellow Closutton inmate I AM MAXIMUS interests me here. With last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin failing to fire in two outings this season, I Am Maximus could be JP McManus’ main dart for the blue riband race in March.

He ran a massive race to finish second in the Savills Chase at Christmas and I’m hoping to see him mix it at Grade 1 level once again. Connections have the option of heading to Aintree for the Grand National off top weight if he falls short but I’m hoping to see him in contention turning in and he’ll be one of the strongest home from the last.

4.05pm – Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase

Just 6lbs higher than when winning this race 12 months ago, AN PEANN DEARG can go close for the Paul Nolan team. Having recorded a double at Doncaster last weekend, we could see another brilliant bit of placing from the County Wexford trainer as he looks to clinch back-to-back renewals of this race.

The ground may be a slight concern for this son of Well Chosen but Nolan was quoted as saying “there may be more to come from him” in a stable tour in the autumn. You’d imagine this has been the plan for him all season and hopefully Sean O’Keeffe can get a tune out of him and he can be competitive once again.

4.40pm – Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race

I’m taking a punt on CHARISMATIC KID in the final race of the day, with whispers out of Cullentra House suggesting that he could be one of their top bumper horses. He was snapped up by Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott after impressing on debut and he has seen plenty of support in the build-up to the meeting.

The form of his Navan success took a hit the other day with Touch The Clouds well and truly kicked into touch by Love Sign d’Aunou but the vibes are strong and I’d be hopeful that Charismatic Kid would improve under Elliott’s care. It’s Only A Game is the right favourite following his Punchestown win but I’m happy enough taking him on.