2022 Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown: the runners, the odds, the verdict

The feature race on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival is the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (3.15). Kemboy goes up against 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup king Minella Indo and British challenger Frodon in defence of his big-race crown, but who will come out on top at Leopardstown?

3.15 Leopardstown Saturday: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup racecard

1 Asterion Forlonge

Giving chase to Tornado Flyer when falling at last in King George; worth another try at three miles

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Bryan Cooper
Odds: 9-2

2 Cilaos Emery

5-10 over fences but the weakest of the four Mullins runners at this stage of his life

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Sean O'Keeffe
Odds: 66-1

3 Conflated

Earned 12lb promotion to a highly respectable 157 for Navan win; much more needed here

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Davy Russell
Odds: 33-1

4 Delta Work

Career highlight when beating Kemboy in this event in 2020; needs to recapture best form

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Odds: 14-1

5 Frodon

Smart display on seasonal debut at Down Royal, needs to bounce back after Kempton lapse

Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
Odds: 11-4 joint-favourite

6 Janidil

Career-best when second in the 2m4f John Durkan; appeared not to stay 3m here at Christmas

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Odds: 11-1

7 Kemboy

Won this race last year; major chance now after a reassuring display in the Savills Chase

Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Odds: 11-4 joint-favourite

8 Minella Indo

Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has questions to answer after King George failure

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Robbie Power
Odds: 7-2

The verdict

Last year's winner Kemboy may repeat that success. Frodon will pose a major threat if recovered from his Kempton run.

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