Five stars who can light up the Dublin Racing Festival

The Dublin Racing Festival promises to be a top-quality affair with the best of the Irish – plus a selection of exciting British contenders – on show at Leopardstown. Here are five stars to note.

SATURDAY

Le Richebourg
Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase (3.45)

Joseph O'Brien famously landed the Irish Gold Cup with miracle horse Edwulf at this meeting last year and he looks to be strongly represented again over the two days.

Le Richebourg: a live Arkle contender for Joseph O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

Le Richebourg, owned by JP McManus, has won three of his four starts over fences, including a Grade 1 at the track last month, and is the 7-1 second favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham. The half-brother to Grands Crus can be expected to take high rank in O'Brien's team.

BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle (1.25)

Gigginstown's excellent mare has been one of the star performers of the jumps season and she steps down in trip for the Irish Champion Hurdle, where she could face high-class opponents in Melon and Supasundae.

Despite Michael O'Leary and trainer Gordon Elliott insisting the Mares' Hurdle is her most likely target at Cheltenham, an emphatic victory here over two miles would see her shorten considerably for the Champion Hurdle.

SUNDAY

Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle (1.15)

Joseph O'Brien already has the Triumph Hurdle favourite in Fakir D'oudairies, who ran out a ready winner at Cheltenham on trials day, but he has another leading contender in Sir Erec.

The son of Camelot, who was a Listed winner on the Flat, finished third behind Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October and made quite an impact when winning on debut over hurdles in December.

Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle (1.50)

The Supreme Horse Racing Club has enjoyed big-race success of late and Aramon was an easy ten-length winner of the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, emulating the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John (2014) and Jezki (2012).

The six-year-old is currently 12-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the opening day of Cheltenham and it would be no surprise to see his odds drop sharply after this weekend.

La Bague Au Roi
Flogas Novice Chase (3.00)

This hugely popular mare is one of the few British-trained runners to take her chance and it could well pay off as she is unbeaten in three outings over fences.

La Bague Au Roi: unbeaten over fences for Warren GreatrexCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Last seen battling bravely to win at Kempton on Boxing Day, the eight-year-old has excellent form and a clash with the equally talented Delta Work could be one of the highlights of the meeting.

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