Horse racing tips: Templegate predicts three winners for Willie Mullins on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival

TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive day one of action at Leopardstown confident of finding some Dublin Racing Festival winners.

He delivers his verdicts for each race below.

1.20

PREDATORS GOLD would have finished a lot closer to Caldwell Potter here last time but for blundering through the final hurdle.

Willie Mullins’ hope was impressive when winning twice at Punchestown before that and has a lot more to offer on just his third hurdles run. Going up in distance looks a wise move too.

Jetara is respected and has experience on her side. She had eight lengths in hand when winning a Grade 3 here last time and won’t mind this longer trip.

Loughglynn has won both his hurdles runs since finishing ninth in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper. He is already proven over a testing trip and isn’t out of it.

1.50

STORM HEART has a big reputation and can pass his biggest test after a 22-length maiden win at Punchestown on hurdles debut.

He was only modest on the Flat but looks made for this game.

Kala Conti didn’t have to hit top gear when winning a Grade 2 over course and distance at Christmas.

She was arguably better when going down narrowly at Fairyhouse before that and is open to plenty of improvement. She is a fair each-way price.

Kargese chased her home last time and must improve to turn the tables.

Similar comments apply to Bunting who caught the eye when scoring on hurdles debut at Limerick. There’s a lot more to come.

2.25

MARINE NATIONALE can continue his serene progress to a date with the Arkle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

He finished last season winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and looked a natural when winning by eight lengths on chase debut here at Christmas.

He should improve for that effort and should be much too good.

Willie Mullins has been making positive noises about Facile Vega who was second in the Supreme before scoring well at Punchestown.

His jumping let him down here at Christmas so he needs to bounce back.

Found A Fifty may be a better bet for the forecast spot after winning a Grade 1 with a bit in hand here last time.

3.00

PANDA BOY could be the answer to this rock-solid contest. He has been running with credit in chases and has a much lower weight to carry back over the smaller obstacles.

He has winning form over course and distance plus he’s proven in a big field. Cut in the ground is fine and he’ll be competitive.

Canal End showed some promise when third at Navan upped to this trip for the first time.

Mark Walsh overdid the hold-up tactics a little before he ran on for third.

Lessons should have been learned and he’s likely to be a bit closer to the pace now they know he stays.

Nine Graces went down in a photo here at the Christmas meeting and she could improve with few miles on the clock for her age.

Shanbally Kid has been chasing but was a good eighth in last year’s Albert Bartlett so may be happier back at this level. He looks on a fair handicap mark for Willie Mullins.

He also runs Fine Margin who went close in good company at Haydock last time and is no forlorn hope.

Will Do could be the pick of the Gordon Elliott runners. He wasn’t beaten far at Navan latest and is the choice of Jack Kennedy.

3.35

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS made an emphatic return to form when winning the red-hot Savills Chase by 23 lengths here at the Christmas meeting.

He was right back to his Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning best after two blips at Punchestown.

The first of those came after the exertions of the Blue Riband win and he may have needed the outing the second time he was beaten.

He won this easily 12 months ago and can score again.

Fastorslow didn’t run in the Savills and he’s the horse that has beaten Galopin the past two times they have met.

That gives him an obvious chance and he sees out this trip strongly.

There’s no doubt that he cashed in on a couple of poor runs from Galopin but he deserves respect and looks clear best of the rest.

Conflated won this in 2022 but has been hit and miss this season. He was well beaten when unseating in the Savills.

I Am Maximus has a Grade 1 on his CV over 2m4f but didn’t stay in the Savills and it’s likely to be a similar story here.

4.10

MADARA had solid form in France and ran right up to his best when scoring over a similar trip at Cheltenham last time.

He jumped well in beating a useful field and a 3lb rise in the weights looks more than fair.

The Folkes Tiara enjoyed himself when winning here last time and kept up the gallop well after hitting the front a long way out. He should be competitive again.

Solness enjoyed dropping into handicap company when scoring by six lengths at Fairyhouse. A 9lb rise in the weights means he’ll have to find more.

Path D’Oroux was a solid second last time but is creeping up the handicap so needs to improve.

4.40

A DREAM TO SHARE has yet to put a foot wrong, winning the Champion Bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

The only worry is the reportedly minor injury that means he’s back in a bumper rather than going over hurdles.

His best form would make him a long odds-on shot and he should be good enough even if not wound up.

Redemption Day is a Grade 1 performer who came back from 20 months off to run second here last time. He should come on for that outing.

The Enabler went from the front to take a Navan Listed contest and can figure if improving on that.

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