Dublin Racing Festival: Defi Du Seuil set for Champion Hurdle success
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The two-day Dublin Racing Festival gets underway on Saturday with seven top-class races from Leopardstown.
Stars including Yorkhill, Min, Footpad and Faugheen will all be on show at the meeting which has total prize money of £1.5m.
We’ve looked at all of Saturday’s action and picked out our best tips for every race…
One of the highlight’s of the day is the Irish Champion Hurdle.
Faugheen won this renewal in 2016 but question marks hang over Willie Mullins’ star after he pulled up in the Ryanair Chase in December.
That leaves Melon and Defi Du Seuil as the two other main contenders. We’ve opted for the latter.
The five-year-old is returned to 2m at Leopardstown after an unsuccessful step up in trip at Ascot in November.
Philip Hobbs’ charge is unbeaten over the distance and will love the cut in the ground afforded to him here.
The yard may have been somewhat underwhelming of late. But Richard Johnson has a solid strike-rate over the last fortnight and can cause an upset up against the far from convincing front two.
The opening race of the day is a wide-open affair.
Dortmund Park may be the favourite but Fabulous Saga looks ripe for success.
Mullins’ six-year-old has impressed in his last two starts and can get the better of the jolly who faces his third-run in just over a month.
Our pick has already won twice in Graded company this season and should have the quality to eclipse the favourite who steps up to this level for the very first time.
The booking of Paul Townend should also inspire confidence.
There are chances right through the field in the Sandyford Handicap Chase. So it could be worth looking for each-way value.
Bel Ami De Sivola has a lively chance of recording his second frame finish amongst a big field in as many races.
Noel Meade’s runner was beaten by a head over course and distance on Boxing Day and should go close again off a fair mark.
Dublin Racing Festival Tips:
1:10 Leopardstown – Fabulous Saga (NB)
1:45 Leopardstown – Simply Ned
2:20 Leopardstown – Footpad
2:55 Leopardstown – Bel Ami De Sivola (Lively Longshot EW)
3:30 Leopardstown – Defi Du Seuil (NAP)
4:05 Leopardstown – Mind’s Eye
4:40 Leopardstown – Rapid Escape
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
