Dublin Racing Festival: your guide to Leopardstown's two-day bonanza

What is the Dublin Racing Festival?

The Dublin Racing Festival is a two-day meeting held at Leopardstown, featuring eight Grade 1s and more than €1.8 million in prize-money.

The festival brings together some of Ireland's biggest jumps contests, including the Irish Champion Hurdle, run on day one of the meeting, and the Irish Gold Cup, run on the second day.

When is it?

The Dublin Racing Festival is held this weekend – Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3. The first of seven races on day one is at 12.50 and the first of eight on day two is at 12.40.

With Ireland playing England in the Six Nations at 4.45pm on Saturday, there promises to be an electrifying atmosphere in Dublin.

Who will be running?

The first day of the meeting is headlined by the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (1.25), in which Apple's Jade takes on Melon and Supasundae.

The Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (3.10), looks set to be contested at a fast and furious pace with Min, last year's winner, leading the way. There is also the Irish Arkle (3.45) and a Grade 1 novice hurdle (12.50).

Sunday's highlight is the Unibet Irish Gold Cup, for which the Noel Meade-trained Road To Respect, fourth in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, is the favourite. Punchestown Gold Cup winner Bellshill and the classy Monalee are among the opposition.

The Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle, often a pointer to the Triumph Hurdle, is headlined by the smart Flat performer Sir Erec, who was third behind Stradivarius on Champions Day at Ascot in October. A Grade 1 novice hurdle, won last year by Samcro, and Grade 1 novice chase featuring Delta Work and La Bague Au Roi are also on the agenda.

La Bague Au Roi is part of a small but select team of British-trained runners at the meeting, which includes dual Grade 1 hero Simply Ned, Champion Chase hope Saint Calvados and Racing Post Arkle contender Knocknanuss.

Saint Calvados: heads to LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Any changes from last year?

The Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, formerly Punchestown's Tied Cottage Chase, has been upgraded to Grade 1 status and has also received a €25,000 prize-money boost.

The race was run as a Grade 2 at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival last year but is now worth €125,000. Six runners have been declared, including 2017 Champion Chase hero Special Tiara.

How can you follow it?

You can track all the action from both days of the Dublin Racing Festival via Maddy Playle's blog.

You can also watch the races live when you put on a bet with us via our website and app. Race replays are available on our results page 30 minutes after the race has finished.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app