Could Solness serve it up to Jonbon? Is Final Demand overpriced for the Turners? Talking points from the Dublin Racing Festival

Mullins unleashes two star novices

Final Demand looked like a potential star when easing clear at Limerick over Christmas but his performance in the Grade 1 novice hurdle on Saturday was exceptional. 

As he scythed his way to disputing the lead coming to the last, there was a brief concern about what he would find as Wingmen was plugging to his task admirably on his inside.

However, he blasted to the line and put 12 lengths between himself and the gallant runner-up. He would destroy the field in an Albert Bartlett but he has plenty of boot and such a classy sort usually ends up in the Turners. It is hard to see him get beaten in that too and 5-2 is quite generous.

Final Demand: shone at the Dublin Racing Festival on SaturdayCredit: Caroline Norris

Kopek Des Bordes was electric in the Grade 1 2m novice hurdle on Sunday, going with bundles of verve and putting in a jumping performance completely at odds with his clumsy debut at Christmas. 

He was still taking a serious hold coming to two out when the loose horse lit him up and he put in a flying leap at the obstacle. Given he has already shown how much he finds for pressure when bulldozing 13 lengths clear in a heavy ground bumper at Fairyhouse last season, there does not seem to be any end to him and he is a special talent.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (March 11)
Sky Bet: 11-8 Kopek Des Bordes, 9-2 Salvator Mundi, 5 The New Lion, 6 Kel Histoire, Romeo Coolio, 7 Regent's Stroll, 12 bar

Turners Novices' Hurdle (March 12)
Ladbrokes: 5-2 Final Demand, 3 The New Lion, 4 Kopek Des Bordes, 8 The Yellow Clay, 12 James's Gate, Kawaboomga, 14 bar

Third Gold Cup in the offing for Galopin bar disaster

There is not much more to say about Galopin Des Champs that has not already been opined. Another devastating performance came at Leopardstown before he entered the parade ring to a cacophony of euphoria befitting of the luminary of the sport he has transformed into.

His evolution from a free-going novice chaser who was skying his fences in the then Turners Novices' Chase in 2022 to the immensely powerful and professional wrecking-ball has been a wonderful journey and has once again demonstrated Willie Mullins' gift for training.

Galopin Des Champs: odds-on to land a third Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann

With Gerri Colombe and Fastorslow unfortunately falling by the wayside and Fact To File likely bound for the Ryanair, it seems like the Gold Cup might only have five or six runners. No one will bemoan it come the day as the champion will be there and, barring misfortune, he will thunder up the hill and underline his legendary status.

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 14)
bet365: 1-2 Galopin Des Champs, 5 Fact To File, 8 Banbridge, 14 Corbett's Cross, 16 Monty's Star, 20 L'Homme Presse 25 bar

Majborough v Sir Gino

Similar to Kopek Des Bordes earlier on the card, Majborough was another Mullins hotpot put up a dominant display full of vigour and enthusiasm in the Irish Arkle.

He put in an extra half-stride at a couple of his obstacles but it never really threatened to derail his inexorable momentum and he advertised his huge scope with a soaring leap at the third-last. He is an outrageous unit, who has made astounding progress in four starts for Mullins. 

Sir Gino and him in the Arkle will be a corker and I can't split them. It will be one to savour.

My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (March 11)
Coral: 4-6 Sir Gino, 2 Majborough, 14 Impaire Et Passe, L'Eau Du Sud, 20 Ballyburn, Jango Baie, Springwell Bay, 25 bar

Solness and Marine can give Jonbon plenty of it

The Dublin Chase saw Solness back up his Christmas performance with a power-packed display of jumping and galloping under Danny Mullins.

While some questioned the merit of his success last month, this one can't be trivialised as a finishing speed of just over 95 per cent (relative to the race's overall speed) illustrates that his rivals had every chance of closing on him late on but he had galloped them into the ground. Jonbon can not miss a beat at Cheltenham if he is in pursuit of him.

Danny Mullins celebrates after winning the Dublin Chase on SolnessCredit: Patrick McCann

Marine Nationale will be a big contender next month too as he ran a hugely promising race in second. The only one to emerge from the pack, he made up loads of ground from the second-last to the last before his run flattened out. Back on better ground at the festival, I can see him running a massive race.  

I think you would be quite brave to be taking odds-on about Jonbon at this juncture.

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (March 12)
Paddy Power: 10-11 Jonbon, 9-2 Gaelic Warrior, 11-2 Il Est Francais, 7 Banbridge, 8 Energumene, 11 Marine Nationale, 12 Solness, 14 bar

Handicap clues galore

Connections of My Mate Mozzie opted for the Arkle last season, in which he finished sixth, but the handicap option looks ideal this time. He travelled supremely well for Keith Donoghue in Saturday's 2m1f handicap chase prior to his effort fading. Given that was his first run for four months, he can improve and the Grand Annual should play to his strengths.

Rushmount shaped very encouragingly in the 3m handicap hurdle on the same day and is one to watch, while a big handicap should soon come Queens Gamble's way as she ran a fine race in the mares' handicap hurdle on Sunday despite the ground being too slow for her.

Storm Heart will go to Cheltenham as a leading handicap fancy, probably for the Coral Cup, after his runner-up effort behind Mclaurey. He was amongst a strong juvenile crop last season and will appreciate a step up in trip.

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