Insight from five small stables hoping to make a giantkilling at Leopardstown

The Dublin Racing Festival may showcase the best equine talent on Irish shores but that doesn't mean big-race success is confined to the bigger stables. Here are five smaller stables hoping to make a big impression at Leopardstown this weekend.

Liam Cusack, trainer of Snugsborough Hall
Target Matheson Handicap Chase, Saturday

He's in good form and the ground is coming his way. He's running off a career-high mark so it might be a bit of a struggle, But he's in good form and there's a big pot on offer so it could be worth taking a chance.

Shane Nolan, trainer of Charlie Stout
Matheson Handicap Chase, Saturday

He's been very consistent for us and had been unlucky not to bag a big pot before he won the Dan Moore at Fairyhouse. It was great to get it with him. The plan is to run on Saturday and whatever happens he's already paid for himself this season and owes us nothing. He's come out of Fairyhouse in great form and I couldn't be happier with him. We might go hurdling with him after the weekend – I think he could be well handicapped.

Padraig Roche, trainer of Shakespeare's Word
Goffs Future Stars Bumper, Saturday

We were very happy with him the first day at Naas and we always felt he'd improve from that. He seems to have come on a lot for it at home. Now he's in at the deep end but we think he's a nice horse.

John McConnell, trainer of Never Do Nothing
Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle, Sunday

Whether we run or not it's ground dependent. We wouldn't want to run him on ground that was very soft. If they miss the rain we'd love to have a go. We like him – he's getting better and better and is definitely going the right way. There's some lovely horses out there already, but if he continues to progress he's not going to embarrass himself, that's for sure.

Robert Widger, trainer of Treacysenniscorthy
William Fry Handicap Hurdle, Sunday

He's come a long way and it's great to have him. How much further he can go, I don't know. If he could improve again it would be great. He doesn't have to make it, he's not keen – he's actually quite laid back. We've only two horses for the track and even to have a horse you can enter for the Dublin Racing Festival, let along one with a chance, it's just brilliant. He's part of the family at this stage. We're there with a little chance but he's going up in the handicap all the time. Weight will stop a train if you ask me and you have to be realistic.

Leopardstown Saturday declarations

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