Having been starved of going to the races for so long, Irish punters would have certainly enjoyed the recent Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. It was once again a meeting dominated by Willie Mullins, with the Irish trainer winning a huge seven races over the course of the two days. However, it was certainly one to forget for the bookmarkers, especially on day two, as the favourites stole the headlines and left them packing up their stalls with their tails between their legs.
The first six races on the second day were won by the market leaders, with a couple of outsiders sparing the bookies their blushes in the last two contests. However, it was still a bashing for the history books. So, let’s take a look back at how it panned out!
Mares Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – Party Central
Party Central got the second day off to a flying start for Gordon Elliott, whose Conflated caused a huge shock to win the Irish Gold Cup from 18/1 on day one. But there was no upset in the Mares Handicap Hurdle as the 7/4 favourite held off his stablemate Say Goodbye, a 33/1 shot, to win the Grade B race by almost two lengths.
Result
1st. Party Central (7/4F)
2nd. Say Goodbye (33/1)
3rd. Banntown Girl (11/1)
Novice Chase (Grade 1) – Galopin Des Champs
One of the most exciting juveniles out there at the minute, Galopin Des Champs proved why he’s the outright ante-post favourite to win the Cheltenham Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase next month as he breezed home in the Grade 1 Novice Chase. Going easily two out, the six-year-old went clear on the run-in and stayed on to beat Master McShee by nine lengths. Gaillard Du Mesnil rounded off the front three for Mullins.
Result
1st. Galopin Des Champs (4/9F)
2nd. Master McShee (12/1)
3rd. Gaillard Du Mesnil (33/1)
Dublin Chase (Grade 1) – Chacun Pour Soi
Those who checked today’s racing results page on February 6th would have also been less than surprised to see Chacun Pour Soi’s name at the fore following the Dublin Chase. The Mullins-trained horse was last on his seasonal reappearance in the Tingle Creek Chase December, but bounced back emphatically to win this Grade 1 at Leopardstown. Going clear at the last, the 10-year-old streaked home 12 lengths clear of Dunvegan.
Result
1st. Chacun Pour Soi (4/7F)
2nd. Dunvegan (10/1)
3rd. Captain Guinness (6/1)
Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A) – Birchdale
A favourite with a bit more value for the punters at 9/2, Birchdale prevailed in the Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle for trainer Enda Bolger and jockey Mark McDonagh. Disputing the lead with Winter Escape at the last, the eight-year-old kept on strongly on the run for home to beat Foxy Jacks by little more than a length as Winter Escape had nothing left to give in the final 100 yards or so.
Result
1st. Birchdale (9/2F)
2nd. Foxy Jacks (33/1)
3rd. Winter Escape (33/1)
Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – Honeysuckle
Arguably the Dublin Racing Festival’s star attraction, there were no shocks in the fast racing results as far as the Irish Champion Hurdle was concerned as the brilliant Honeysuckle extended her unbeaten record over hurdles to 14. Henry de Bromhead’s prized mare proved once again that there is no match for her in the hurdling division as he eased around Leopardstown to win by six and a half lengths with Zanahiyr the best of the rest.
Result
1st. Honeysuckle (1/5F)
2nd. Zanahiyr (6/1)
3rd. Echoes In Rain (25/1)
Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – Sir Gerhard
Mullins wasn’t going to be left out of the Leopardstown winners’ enclosure for too long though, with Sir Gerhard securing the Irish trainer his seventh winner of the weekend and taking his winning prize purse to over €700,000! It was far from the ideal run from the seven-year-old, as while he made all, he didn’t jump with fluency and made the odd mistake. However, it was still a commanding victory as he beat Three Stripe Life by six lengths.
Result
1st. Sir Gerhard (8/13F)
2nd. Three Stripe Life (5/1)
3rd. Colonel Mustard (14/1)
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The bookies would have breathed a sigh of relief as 20/1 shot Call Me Lyreen won the Grade B Handicap Hurdle, while 40/1 outsider Lily Du Berlais was the shock winner of the closing Grade 2 National Hunt Flat Race.