Big Three Stand Their Ground For Day One Dublin Racing Festival Highlight

Published: Thu 1 Feb 2018, 8:57 PM

Last updated: Thu 1 Feb 2018, 8:59 PM

Faugheen, Melon and Defi Du Seuil head the final field of eight runners for the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Defi Du Seuil, trained by Philip Hobbs, will be ridden by British Champion jockey Richard Johnson who is bidding for his first Grade 1 success at Leopardstown since his victory on Florida Pearl in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup in 2004.

In addition to early favourites Faugheen and Melon, champion trainer Willie Mullins will also run Bapaume. Mick Jazz won the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival and carries the hopes of Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell, while Jessica Harrington is doubly represented by Supasundae, the mount of Robbie Power, and Jezki which will be ridden by Mark Walsh. Last year’s winning trainer Henry De Bromhead runs Identity Thief.

Seven runners will go to post for the Grade 2 Coral Dublin Chase and again the big three here have all stood their ground. Min and Yorkhill give Willie Mullins the strongest hand with the Nicky Richards-trained Simply Ned providing the chief opposition. Willie Mullins’ Footpad and the Henry De Bromhead-trained Petit Mouchoir - high-class hurdlers which are both unbeaten over fences - are among the five runners for the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.

The first of seven Grade 1 races over the weekend is the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle and the final line-up of seven is headed by the Gordon Elliott-trained Dortmund Park, Mullins’ Fabulous Saga and De Bromhead’s Dicey O’Reilly.

Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of Leopardstown Racecourse, said: “It’s an incredible opening day to the first Dublin Racing Festival and all the stars we hoped to see will be at Leopardstown on Saturday. Everything looks set fair and while a little rain is forecast for early on Saturday morning, the weekend’s weather is looking very favourable meaning perfect conditions for everyone.”