Dublin Racing Festival Sunday Tips: @RoadCheltenham Provides A Pick For Every Race

Hopefully the weather Gods can work their magic to ensure Sunday's action at the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival goes ahead. If the meeting gets the green light, we could be in for a thriller, with plenty of clues towards Cheltenham in March. I’ve looked at each race and have landed on a selection so fingers crossed I can back a few winners. Scroll down for my take on Sunday's action at the DRF...

Leopardstown 12.40pm – SIOG GEAL

Fergal O’Brien brings SIOG GEAL over and I’m expecting a big run from a mare who looks to be off a fair mark. Rated 126, her form behind the Dan Skelton-trained Nurse Susan reads very well as that mare is now up to a BHA mark of 140.

Her form on soft ground is rock solid, finishing behind a couple of nice types in Jubilee Alpha at Windsor and Hartington at Carlisle. The hurdle track will take plenty of getting after the recent rain and she should be one of the stronger stayers in the field.

Leopardstown 1.10pm – FINAL DEMAND (NO BET)

A no bet race but I’m hoping to see a big performance from FINAL DEMAND. He is a very short price for the Brown Advisory Novices Chase in March and he can cement himself as the leading staying novice over fences with a bloodless victory.

He was solid without being spectacular at Limerick over Christmas but you’d struggle to find a more natural chaser. Expect Paul Townend to keep it simple on him and he could lead pillar to post en route to another Grade 1 success.

Leopardstown 1.40pm – BALLYFAD

The form of BALLYFAD’s victory at Leopardstown over Christmas was given a nice boost by runner up Leader d’Allier recently and I think he could be one of the leading players in Sunday’s race. He looks the perfect type for a strongly run two miles.

Will there be enough pace for us to see him to best effect? Only time will tell. It will be interesting to see how Jack Kennedy rides him – whether he is prominent and forces the issue or if he’s happy to take a lead. It’s a fascinating renewal, that’s for sure.

Leopardstown 2.10pm – MAJBOROUGH

It’s last chance saloon for MAJBOROUGH on Sunday but softer conditions underfoot may be crucial to the outcome of this race. I’d love to see him ridden aggressively and it will be fascinating to see if he can get his head in front.

Marine Nationale is the class act in the field and he’ll be the one to beat at Cheltenham no matter what but Sunday could be Majborough’s day. If he puts it all together, he’s got the talent to prevail and he can stay on stoutly to claim the victory.

Leopardstown 2.45pm – KINTURK KALANISI (E/W)

KINTURK KALANISI has mixed it in some of the big staying handicap races throughout his career but he has tasted victory just once in 12 races under rules. James Smith takes the ride for the first time and his 5lbs claim could prove very handy.

I’d be hoping that he can run into the places as he’s been knocking on the door in some lucrative staying handicaps. Thomas Gibney had a winner at Down Royal last week and fingers crossed he can notch a Dublin Racing Festival success with my selection.

Leopardstown 3.20pm – EL FABIOLO

As the week has gone on, the more I’ve warmed to the chances of EL FABIOLO and he must be going well at home for Willie Mullins to throw him in here. An easier option was touted following his victory at Punchestown but he goes for the Grade 1 on Sunday.

Rated as high as 175 over fences at the peak of his powers, he remains unexposed over hurdles and he looked exceptional on his seasonal reappearance. If he can run to the mid-160s, he’ll be bang there and the heavy ground won’t be an issue for him.

Leopardstown 3.52pm – MURCIA (E/W)

Paul Townend rides MURCIA in the 2m handicap hurdle on Sunday afternoon and that is a tip in itself given it is his only non-Grade 1 ride of the weekend. She looks to be well treated on official figures and she could easily be a Graded horse in a handicap.

Her run behind Talk The Talk in November could be given a boost earlier on the card if the Joseph O’Brien runner prevails in the Grade 1 novice hurdle. Either way, she will catch the eye of punters given connections and she could be well backed on race day.

Leopardstown 4.27pm – WONDERFUL EVERYDAY

It’s not a strong selection but I’d say WONDERFUL EVERYDAY is the most talented mare in this field and I’m willing to give her a pass after disappointing at Huntingdon – the Closutton bumper horses were all failing to fire at that stage of the season.