Folly to rule out Honey in State clash

My favourite racing weekend of the year is upon us once again as the Dublin Racing Festival brings a quality line-up, with Grade 1 races galore.

At the time of writing there are ten races with favourites of 2-1 or shorter, many of whom I would like to take on.

We start with the feature race on Saturday, the Irish Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs could potentially be a superstar. But, as we have seen on several occasions in recent years, sometimes surprises occur in big races and at the current price he is not a betting proposition.

The one that looks overpriced is last year’s winner CONFLATED (pictured below). He is an attractive each-way price considering he is now two from three over fences at Leopardstown and won very easily over Christmas.

In the first race on Saturday, Good Land is favourite but he is another who is too short and I am happy to side with

GRANGECLARE WEST.

He was most impressive when winning on his hurdles debut at Navan in November before being well beaten in a Grade 1 at Naas a month ago.

By Presenting out of a Sir Harry Lewis mare, the further he goes, the better he will be and, at the prices, he must be backed to be in the top three.

Shortly after that, Willie Mullins can make it two from two with Lossiemouth in the juvenile hurdle. However, with Mullins holding the top three in the market for the race, I am tempted to have an eachway bet without the favourite on Henry de Bromhead’s

ASCENDING.

He put in a decent display on his hurdles debut at Christmas when only beaten by Tekao. The two were well ahead of the rest that day and he could outrun his price.

It could be a great day for Mullins who can take the Grade 1 Irish Arkle Novice Chase with DYSART

DYNAMO.

It is possible that Appreciate It will also run in the race, but I was impressed with Dysart Dynamo on his debut at this track over Christmas.

Although the time he clocked that day was 15 seconds behind standard, he won by 28 lengths against two horses who are no mugs. His price is likely to be shorter on the day and I can see there only being four or five runners.

The Mullins multiple might be attractive to some and it would be no surprise if CHOSEN WITNESS was to round off the day in the bumper.

Fascile Mode is currently favourite after beating Lecky Watson and Special Cadeau here over Christmas but I don’t think those two are top of Mullins’ bumper team.

Chosen Witness was impressive when winning at Limerick over Christmas, beating

Talk In The Park. That form could well be stronger than the Leopardstown race and, at double the price, he is worth following.

Sunday’s feature race, the Irish Champion Hurdle, is a mouthwatering clash between State Man and Honeysuckle.

State Man has been excellent this season and has clearly improved from his novice days.

However, at the prices I just can’t ignore HONEYSUCKLE. It’s quite incredible that a horse who has won 16 from 17 races under rules can be written off after one race.

Teahupoo has since come out and won the Galmoy Hurdle, franking the form. It may be that State Man wins and is a real threat to Constitution Hill but, until that point, I will side with the best hurdler we’ve had in recent years and who receives 7lb.

Following Energumene’s disappointing run in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase, there is an opportunity for another horse to show they are Champion Chase material.

Blue Lord was excellent over Christmas and has clearly improved since last season. His price is short, though, and I keep thinking back to the Irish Arkle last year when he could have been beaten by Riviere D’Etel had she jumped the last better. If there is a ‘without the favourite’ market available, I would be interested in Chacun Pour Soi, who has form of 211113 at the course.

Earlier in the day we have a cracker in the 2m5f novice chase and it is hard to get away from MIGHTY

POTTER.

Gordon Elliott’s six-yearold has shown he is a better chaser than hurdler this season, winning the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in some style. His engine is there for all to see and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him running over three miles at some stage.