'Whether's he quick and fluent enough for the Supreme is debatable'

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 Sunday below . . .

1.20 Leopardstown

Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1), 2m6f

What happened?

Galopin Des Champs continued his rise to stardom with another bloodless victory, powering clear in the closing stages to produce another spectacular performance. There was little doubt from some way out as he stretched clear of Master McShee for a nine-length win to strengthen his Cheltenham Festival claims.

The winning time

5m 28.10s – slow by 24.10s compared to RP Standard time. It was eight seconds quicker than 2020, when the race was last run on yielding ground. Faugheen won that day.

What connections said

Willie Mullins, trainer: "Paul didn't want to be bold with him and, at times, they weren't a unit. They were going so fast, a lot of the jockeys said that was one of the fastest chases they've ridden in. I think Paul will have a lot more confidence in him now, they'll go back to what they were doing at Christmas. I think after what he did today he'll be better again the next day."

Paul Townend, jockey of Galopin Des Champs: "He gave me a good feel again. It was a proper race at a proper gallop, he was getting brave underneath me but you couldn't fault him I don't think."

Ante-post market moves

Paddy Power shortened Galopin Des Champs to 13-8 (from 2) for the Brown Advisory and 15-8 (from 9-4) for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

What do our experts reckon?

A predictably easy win for short-priced favourite Galopin Des Champs, who probably didn’t have to improve too much on the form of his wide-margin chase debut victory to beat the 152-rated Master McShee and Galliard Du Mesnil in ready fashion. He’s a strong traveller and resolute galloper who jumped soundly throughout (jumped very slightly right at a couple of fences). He’s firmly on course for a tilt at the Brown Advisory or the Turners.
Richard Young, analyst

Report | Full result

1.50 Leopardstown

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1), 2m1f

What happened?

Chacun Pour Soi continued a dominant day for the favourites, bouncing back to his best with an impressive third win in the race. The Willie Mullins-trained chaser moved from a prominent position to pull away from Dunvegan in the closing stages. British raider Greaneteen disappointed.

The winning time

4m 23.60s – slow by 15.10s compared to RP standard time. Chacun Pour Soi's time was 11 seconds slower than in 2020, when he won the race on yielding going.

From the horse's mouth

Willie Mullins, trainer of Chacun Pour Soi: "This time I got him 95 per cent ready and he's probably better like that. I'm not sure he's able to take it now so we leave him a shade undercooked, hopefully we can do that for the rest of the season. I don't think he's ever brought his best game across the water. We'll do what we did here [for Cheltenham] and I think that's the key to him."

Ante-post market moves

Coral cut Chacun Pour Soi to 6-1 (from 8) for the Champion Chase.

What do our experts reckon?

A third consecutive win in the race for Chacun Pour Soi but, while visually impressive, his main rival Greaneteen proved disappointing and it’s debatable whether the winner had to be at his best to beat Dunvegan, officially rated 20lb his inferior. His two trips to Britain have met with defeat and, given he’ll likely be up against Shishkin and stable companion Energumene in the Queen Mother, it might be worth chancing his stamina and hoping they go no gallop in the Ryanair.
Richard Young, analyst

Report | Full result

3.00 Leopardstown

Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

What happened?

Honeysuckle stretched her unbeaten record under rules to 14 with another sensational performance, and in her textbook dominant fashion. Rachael Blackmore asked her mount to move clear approaching the turn for home and in a matter of strides she effortlessly put a wide margin between herself and the rest of the field. She officially beat Zanahiyr by six and a half lengths.

The winning time

4m 6.20s – slow by 21.20s compared to RP standard. The time when Honeysuckle won this on yielding ground in 2020 was 3m 49.30s.

From the horse's mouth

Kenny Alexander, owner: "She's a very special mare, she's up there with the best. Everytime she wins it's a privilege to own her, I'm a bit lost for words actually."

Ante-post market moves

Paddy Power report Honeysuckle to be unchanged at 4-7 for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

What do our experts reckon?

A one-sided contest – both in the market beforehand and in the race itself. Honeysuckle, the clear pick of the weights, won her third Irish Champion Hurdle in emphatic fashion, jumping and travelling strongly before quickly putting distance between herself and her rivals rounding the home turn. The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare is now unbeaten in 14 starts over hurdles and, with the mares’ allowance and the fact that solid alternatives are thin on the ground, she goes for a repeat win in the Champion Hurdle next month with outstanding claims.
Richard Young, analyst

Report | Full result

3.35 Leopardstown

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

What happened?

Sir Gerhard continued a perfect run for favourites on Sunday, with a performance of guts and class. Paul Townend got him out in front and he was able to grind it out to defeat Three Stripe Life, despite making a mistake at the last.

The winning time

4m 6.70s – slow by 21.70s compared to RP Standard. The time was around seven seconds slower than in 2020, when Asterion Forlonge won the race on yielding ground. The second-last hurdle this year was omitted, which would further influence the time.

From the horse's mouth

Willie Mullins, trainer of Sir Gerhard: "I was disappointed with how he jumped through two or three hurdles. He jumped the last two well and galloped the whole way to the line which was fantastic, so it was very good. I'd have no problem going to the Supreme or Ballymore. I think he's entitled to for either one. We'll see what's in either race then make our mind up."

Ante-post market moves

Betfair Sportsbook clipped Sir Gerhard into 9-2 (from 5) for the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival.

What do our experts reckon?

Sir Gerhard, who had the run of the race, turned in his best effort and is undoubtedly promising but he’ll have to brush up on his jumping if he is to follow up at the Festival. Whether he’s quick enough (and fluent enough at this stage) to beat the likes of Constitution Hill, Dysart Dynamo or Jonbon over the two miles of the Supreme is debatable and, although his stamina isn’t guaranteed pedigree-wise, he looks a strong galloper who may benefit from the longer trip of the Ballymore. Whichever race he contests, though, will benefit quality-wise from his inclusion.

Richard Young, analyst

Report | Full result

Read more Sunday reports:

Bookies spared 'significant' seven-figure payout as 40-1 shot wins bumper

Honeysuckle at her brilliant best again to land third Irish Champion Hurdle

'I would put this fella in a different league' - Chacun is Mullins' number one

Sir Gerhard brings up Grade 1 treble for Mullins and Townend

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