'He has to be a certainty to run in the Gold Cup' - best bits from this week's Upping The Ante with Johnny Dineen and David Jennings

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Join David Jennings and Johnny Dineen for Episode 12 of Upping The Ante with bet365

Johnny Dineen adds a JP McManus horse to his Festival Squad in this week's episode. The Upping The Ante duo review the Dublin Racing Festival and look ahead to the best of the weekend action at Newbury.

Despite it being a bank holiday in Ireland on Monday, Johnny Dineen attended his weekly exercise meet-up for his Couch to 5K, describing it as "torturous stuff". And you can enjoy Johnny's latest joke of the week at the end of the show!

WATCH NOW: Upping The Ante | Episode 12 | Cheltenham Festival 2026 Ante-Post Tips

Stars of the week from the DRF

3. 'He got the better of Final Demand and then repelled Western Fold'

Kaid D'Authie won the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Johnny was impressed by Kaid D'Authie, who lowered the colours of Final Demand when he gained a first Grade 1 in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase. Johnny said: "They went after Final Demand from the outset and found a hole in him, and it was a big one. He didn't look happy because he was getting harassed by the winner."

2. 'If ever I've seen an Albert Bartlett horse this is it' 

Doctor Steinberg: won the Grade 1 novice hurdle on day twoCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Doctor Steinberg enhanced his Albert Bartlett claims by winning the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle and Johnny thought his eight-length victory could even be marked up. Johnny said: "He ran with the choke out for a lot of the race and did well to win in the manner he did. He's the one to beat in the Albert Bartlett."

1. 'It was a Gold Cup-winning performance'

Fact To File: stylish winner of the Irish Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

There was no stopping Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup scorer Fact To File from earning top spot in Johnny's stars of the week and he believes he has to go for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece next month. Johnny said: "You could call him the winner from a hell of a long way out. He is versatile tactically and he has to be a certainty to run in the Gold Cup."

Question from the crowd

'Would he get the trip in the Brown Advisory? I'm guessing not'

Romeo Coolio: has three Cheltenham Festival entriesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Clifford asked Johnny if he would run Romeo Coolio in the Arkle or the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Johnny admitted it is a tricky dilemma. He said: "I'd like him to run in the Arkle because I'm on him for the Arkle. Is he good enough to win either? I don't know that answer. Would he get the trip in the Brown Advisory? I'm guessing not. He'd have to go an extra half a mile than he had before and he'd be facing out-and-out stayers. It also depends on what kind of an Arkle it is going to be. It might not be a stellar running."

The festival squads

DJ has taken a break with his Festival Squad this week but Johnny Dineen has made an addition in Mighty Park for the Turners Novices' Hurdle at 10-1.

The Willie Mullins-trained and JP McManus-owned five-year-old made a successful rules debut at Fairyhouse last month and caught the eye of Johnny.

Johnny said: "This is an educated guess. I don't know how good he is, and it's not certain he runs in this race, but he won by a distance last time. No Drama This End is the big British hope but I do think he's vulnerable and this horse could come in strong in the betting. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up favourite."

Johnny's festival squad

Romeo Coolio
9-2, Arkle Novices' Chase
Doctor Du Mesnil
14-1, Turners Novices' Hurdle
Jade De Grugy
25-1, Mares' Chase
Its On The Line
9-1, Hunters' Chase
Narciso Has
6-1, Triumph Hurdle
It's Only A Game 20-1, Champion Bumper
Mighty Park
10-1, Turners Novices' Hurdle

DJ's festival squad

Skylight Hustle
50-1, Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Sir Gino
9-2, Champion Hurdle
Desertmore House
10-1, Cross Country Chase
Bob Olinger
14-1, Stayers' Hurdle
Sortudo
25-1, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Bambino Fever
6-1, Mares' Novices’ Hurdle 
Regent's Stroll
18-1, Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase
No Walkover
33-1, Champion Bumper
Jeriko Du Reponet 8-1, Kim Muir
King Rasko Grey
25-1, Turners Novices' Hurdle

(Prices when advised)

Watch the show below . . .

WATCH: Johnny Dineen and David Jennings answer the big questions after a dramatic DRF - plus one provides a 10-1 Cheltenham Festival tip  

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