'He had the run of the race and wouldn't be certain to confirm the placings'

The Dublin Racing Festival will provide some big pointers to the Cheltenham Festival over the two days at Leopardstown this weekend. Find out the key details, market moves and reaction for each of the Grade 1 races at the meeting on Saturday below . . .

1.05 Leopardstown

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

What happened?

Minella Cocooner took a big step forward to land the Dublin Racing Festival opener, making all with a relentless display for Danny and Willie Mullins. He was priced at 11-1. Favourite Hollow Games made a few mistakes on the way round and could only finish third, with Minella Crooner staying on into second.

The winning time

5m 40.60s – slow by 27.60s compared to the RP standard of 5m 13s. It was almost eight seconds slower than the last running on yielding ground, won by subsequent Albert Bartlett runner-up Latest Exhibition in 2020.

What connections said

Danny Mullins, rider of Minella Cocooner: "His jumping took a few lengths out of the field down the back straight and when he started to lengthen on the turn in, his class really started to show. He'd have plenty of options – he travels, quickens and stays."

Ante-post market moves

Betfair Sportsbook shortened Minella Cocooner to 6-1 second favourite (from 20) for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. Hollow Games drifted out to 8-1 (from 6) with the same firm.

What do our experts reckon?

Minella Cocooner has come an awful long way since losing at odds of 3-10 to Hamundarson in a 2m maiden hurdle for Willie Mullins in December. Clearly finding that trip too sharp, Minella Cocooner saw out the 2m6f excellently under a fine front-running ride from Danny Mullins and never looked like being caught. Minella Crooner can be marked up in second. He was the only held-up runner to make serious inroads on the winner, with the prominently-ridden third Hollow Games finishing 12 lengths ahead of the fourth.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Report | Full result

1.35 Leopardstown

Racing TV "12 Euros Per Month This Weekend Only" Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

What happened?

Leading Triumph Hurdle fancy Fil Dor was readily brushed aside on the turn in by the Paul Townend-ridden Vauban, sealing an early top-level double for Willie Mullins. Fil Dor was positively ridden and kept on for second, but had no answers to the winner.

The winning time

Vauban crossed the line in 4m 2.20s, just over 17s slower than the RP standard and 2.20s slower than A Wave Of The Sea on similar ground in 2020.

What connections said

Rich Ricci, owner of Vauban: "We were hopeful he would come on for his debut and he was very good there. There's more to come and he's our leading juvenile hurdle."

Ante-post market moves

Vauban was made 11-4 joint favourite with Pied Piper, his conqueror on debut at Punchestown, for the Triumph Hurdle with Paddy Power. Fil Dor doubled in price to 6-1.

What do our experts reckon?

This was seriously impressive from Vauban, whose second to Pied Piper in a Punchestown maiden hurdle is exceptional form. Bookmakers are struggling to split the pair at the top of the Triumph Hurdle market and I would slightly prefer Vauban at Cheltenham. This was a much deeper contest than the Grade 2 Pied Piper landed last time and he won it in dominant fashion. There are a lack of options for juveniles over further than 2m and I'm convinced second Fil D'Or has more to offer when he gets a step up in trip.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Report | Full result

2.10 Leopardstown

Patrick Ward & Co Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1), 2m1f

What happened?

A treble up for Willie Mullins as Blue Lord just held on from the rallying Riviere D'Etel. The runner-up dived at the last and that proved crucial. She kept on strongly after the last but could not quite peg back Blue Lord. The winner survived a stewards' inquiry into interference after the last.

The winning time

Saint Sam appeared to force a decent pace and the winning time was 4m 18.20s – slow by 9.70s but the quickest time of the day's Grade 1s when compared to RP standard times.

Ante-post market moves

Paddy Power were not convinced to shorten or lengthen the odds of Blue Lord for the Arkle. He remains 11-4 favourite.

What do our experts reckon?

I think Riviere D’Etel would have won this but for fluffing the last where she lost plenty of momentum. Blue Lord was all out to hold on and positions may be reversed if they meet in the Arkle at Cheltenham. I’m convinced the third Saint Sam, running in only his second chase, is also one to keep onside. The exuberant front-runner looked like he might fade when caught by the first two turning for home but plugged on resolutely to be beaten by just over four lengths. The Marsh Novices’ Chase would be an intriguing target.
Robbie Wilders, tipster

Report | Full result

3.15 Leopardstown

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1), 3m½f

What happened?

Frodon led to three out but was soon headed by 18-1 shot Conflated, who stretched clear approaching the straight and ran out a ready winner. He scored by six and a half lengths from last year's Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. Janidil finished third and the well-backed Asterion Forlonge, who was sent off 5-2 favourite, was back in fourth.

The winning time

Conflated completed the Irish Gold Cup in 6m 20.40s. That time was 35.40s slower than RP standard but over six seconds quicker than when stablemate Delta Work won the race two years ago on yielding ground.

Ante-post market moves

Betfair Sportsbook shortened Conflated to 8-1 (from 66) for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. They were also encouraged by Minella Indo's run, cutting him to 4-1 second favourite (from 6) behind 7-2 favourite A Plus Tard.

What connections said

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Conflated: "He has a big engine but is quirky. He got into a lovely rhythm and there were no excuses today. If I know Michael and Eddie [O'Leary, owners], he'll be running in the Gold Cup."

What do our experts reckon?

This century, only Sizing John in 2017 has gone on to follow up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after landing the Irish Gold Cup and, although Conflated had the run of the race and showed improved form to win in fine style returned to 3m, a couple of his main rivals disappointed and his overall record over fences has a bit of an uneven look to it. For me, he wouldn’t be certain to confirm placings with runner-up and reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, who fared better in this race than he did in the 2021 running, next month.
Richard Young, analyst

Report | Full result

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