Dublin Racing Festival: confirmations for the eight Grade 1s plus an early tip

The confirmations for the eight Grade 1s at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival were released on Tuesday. Below we take a look at some of the biggest names who are set to line up at Leopardstown.

Dublin Racing Festival 2022: what are the big races and how do I watch it?

Saturday

1.05 Leopardstown

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors "50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff" Novice Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m6f

Key horses: Bective Stud holds a leading entry for the opening contest of the Dublin Racing Festival with Hollow Games, who finished a neck behind Grand Jury when third in Grade 1 company at Naas last month. Grand Jury could reoppose for Henry de Bromhead, who may also field the relatively unexposed Journey With Me, who made a winning start to hurdling in December.

Ante-post favourite:Hollow Games (2-1)

1.35 Leopardstown

Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

Key horses: Unbeaten hurdler Fil Dor may bid to extend his streak to four this season in a first step up to Grade 1 company. He could meet the exciting Willie Mullins-trained prospect Vauban, a half-length second in December on his rules debut to Pied Piper, who has since gone on to win impressively at Graded level.

Ante-post favourite:Fil Dor (2-1)

Blue Lord: favourite for the Irish Arkle Novice Chase on SaturdayCredit: Caroline Norris

2.10 Leopardstown

Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1), 2m1½f

Key horses: Won last year by Champion Chase hope Energumene, Mullins will seek to land another running of this Grade 1 with a strong hand of entries that include Haut En Couleurs, Saint Sam and Blue Lord, who was third at the festival last season over hurdles. Riviere D'Etel suffered a first defeat over fences to Ferny Hollow over Christmas and could be the one to take on the Mullins' squad.

Ante-post favourite:Blue Lord(6-4)

3.15 Leopardstown

Key horses: Kemboy could bid for back-to-back wins in the Irish Gold Cup against Frodon, who seeks to land big-race success in Ireland following victory October's Champion Chase at Down Royal. Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo, who was fourth in last year's contest, holds an entry for Henry de Bromhead while Mount Ida and the enigmatic Asterion Forlonge could also feature.

Ante-post favourite:Kemboy (11-4)

Saturday at the Dublin Racing Festival: big-race entries and betting

Sunday

1.20 Leopardstown

Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1), 2m5½f

Key horses: After a flawless debut over fences, Galopin Des Champs is the headline entry and could hand Mullins' his third win in a row in this contest. The trainer may also saddle New Year's day winner Jungle Boogie while recent Grade 1 winners Master McShee and Fury Road remain in contention.

Ante-post favourite: Galopin Des Champs(2-5)

Chacun Pour Soi: could land a third Dublin Chase victory in Sunday's contestCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

1.50 Leopardstown

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1), 2m1f

Key horses: Another race dominated in recent years by the Irish Champion trainer and his dual Dublin Chase winner Chacun Pour Soi could bid for a third straight win in the race, although he must bounce back from a disappointing Tingle Creek. He will have to reverse the form with Tingle Creek winner Greaneteen, who is set to reoppose for Paul Nicholls while the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Sky Pirate remains in contention.

Ante-post favourite:Chacun Pour Soi (4-5)

3.00 Leopardstown

Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

Key horses: On the hunt for a hat-trick is star hurdler Honeysuckle, who has yet to be defeated in 13 starts under rules including an astonishing nine Grade 1s. She demolished last year's field by ten-lengths and may face a first meeting with Appreciate It, who looks poised to return from injury having not been seen since a 24-length romp in last year's Supreme.

Ante-post favourite:Honeysuckle(2-5)

3.35 Leopardstown

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

Key horses: Dublin Racing Festival's final Grade 1 contest was last won by Appreciate It en route to Cheltenham Festival success and Mullins will be aiming to make it nine wins from the last ten years in this contest with entries for Champion Bumper winner Sir Gerhard and El Fabiolo. Mighty Potter, a Grade 1 winner at the course over Christmas, could take them on.

Ante-post favourite:Sir Gerhard(5-4)

Early tip: Riviere D'Etel

Riviere D'Etel
Irish Arkle Novice Chase
9-2 generally

The only horse to beat Riviere D'Etel over fences is Ferny Hollow and although she was in receipt of 13lbs on the day, she made a top class horse work hard all the way to the line in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Christmas.

Riviere D'Etel: could take on favourite Blue Lord for the Irish ArkleCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

She has nothing of his calibre to worry about this weekend and I am surprised to see 4-1 available. Blue Lord has looked good over fences to date but he hasn't faced a good horse over larger obstacles yet, while the ground might be on the quick side for both Saint Sam and Haut En Couleurs. Riviere D'etel should prove very hard to beat.
Adrian Wall, tipster

Sunday at the Dublin Racing Festival: big-race entries and betting

Read more on the Dublin Racing Festival:

'He's retained all his enthusiasm' - Frodon team relishing Irish Gold Cup test

'He's so well it's hard not to take a chance' - high hopes for bumper dark horse

Dublin Racing Festival 2022: what are the big races and how do I watch it?

Three-horse trainer taking aim at big guns with Leopardstown bumper hope

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