SIX POINTERS FOR THE DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL…

THE power of Irish jump racing means the two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown has become one of the biggest meetings of the season and most significant pointer to next month’s Cheltenham Festival. Last season eight winners at Cheltenham ran at the DRF, although just three — A Dream To Share, El Fabiolo and Galopin Des Champs — won at both fixtures. Willie Mullins is due to have 50 runners, with results potentially influencing Cheltenham plans. MARCUS TOWNEND picks out what could be the most significant moments.

JUGGLING JUVENILES

Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino is the hot favourite for the Triumph Hurdle but the last three winners of that race all ran in today’s Spring Hurdle. It feels like Mullins, who runs six, has yet to play his hand. Stable jockey Paul Townend rides Storm Heart but there has been ante-post support for stablemate Majborough.

SINK OR SWIM, MARINE

Unbeaten Marine Nationale will try to emulate El Fabiolo, who won the Irish Arkle Novice Chase last year before winning the equivalent contest at Cheltenham. Barry Connell’s 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner is one of the shortest Festival favourites but he has only won a Beginners Chase. He should be put under more pressure from Found A Fifty, a Grade One winner here at Christmas, and Facile Vega.

HOW FAST CAN HE GALOP?

Can anything lay a finger on Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs? The list of candidates is short but Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow heads the field. He twice beat his Mullinstrained rival last year and, if he gives him a fright, it will be all to play for in the more arduous Gold Cup.

WHICH WAY, WARRIOR?

Gaelic Warrior has looked like Mullins’ Cheltenham Arkle horse but how he runs in tomorrow’s 2m 5f Novice Chase — and how Marine Nationale does today — could see the Turners Novices’ Chase become his target.

ANOTHER BURN-UP?

Mullins said Ballyburn was more of a two-and-a-half mile horse when he pulverised opponents over that distance at Christmas, yet he drops him back to two miles for tomorrow’s Derby Sales Novice Hurdle. This test should show which novice hurdle — the Supreme or Baring Bingham — he goes for at Cheltenham.

HILL TO CLIMB

Constitution Hill dominates the Champion Hurdle betting and all his main opponents run in tomorrow’s Irish equivalent. State Man looks like he has improved this season and Bob Olinger has bounced back to form. They will be trying to make Henderson, Constitution Hill’s trainer, sleep less easily.