TEMPLEGATE tackles day two of the Dublin Racing Festival looking to find a few winners.
There is top class action on show and Cheltenham clues aplenty.
The TimesAll eyes will be on Honeysuckle and Blackmore after they lost for the first time ever last time out[/caption]
First, find his verdicts for the big TV races – then his tips for every race at the bottom. Good luck!
Templegate’s Dublin Racing Festival day two tips and verdicts
LEOPARDSTOWN
1.40
MIGHTY POTTER already has three Grade 1 wins on his CV including when scoring at Fairyhouse in early December.
He was impressive there in beating a top-class field with seemingly a lot left.
He should have no issue with this slightly longer trip and can confirm that form with main rival Gaillard Du Mesnil.
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Willie Mullins’ runner has scored since in good style here when his stamina came to the fore.
He could get closer to the tip but needs another step forward.
James Du Berlais is a Grade 1 second over hurdles and looked a natural when scoring by 15 lengths on his chase debut at Fairyhouse. This is tougher but there’s more to come.
2.10
BLUE LORD has only been beaten once – when third in last year’s Arkle – and clocked a new personal best when winning a Grade 1 here by 11 lengths at Christmas.
That was over this trip against a good field so it would be a surprise if he didn’t score again.
Sceau Royal is a rare British raider for Alan King. He has been hurdling this season but is a high-class chaser as he showed when placing in two Grade 1s last spring.
He has a big gap to the favourite but could be best of the rest.
Dunvegan was second in a hot handicap at Fairyhouse three weeks ago and is another who may nick the forecast spot.
2.40
CIEL DE NEIGE will be happy dropping to this trip after not getting home over three miles last time.
He was much closer when tackling this distance at Punchestown two runs ago and will be fitter for his comeback run.
Indigo Breeze ran well at Cheltenham last time out in November and looks on a fair mark for his handicap chase debut.
Maskada got the job done nicely at Limerick in the mud but should be fine with these quicker conditions.
Rachael Blackmore takes over on her today which is a bonus.
Real Steel battled to score in a big field here at Christmas. He’s gone up 6lb for that but should be competitive again, as should Farceur Du Large who also shaped well in that race.
3.10
HONEYSUCKLE can get back to winning ways after her surprise third in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December.
She was galloping all over her rivals into the straight but didn’t find anything.
It could be that the Henry De Bromhead horses were a little off the boil at the time and she can bounce back and win this for the fourth year in a row.
State Man looks the pick of the Willie Mullins challenge and made it three Grade 1 victories in a row in the Matheson here last time.
He got the better of stablemate Vauban there and it will be the same story again.
Pied Piper was ill when tailed off in that race and is better judged on his Grade 2 win at Down Royal in November. He still needs a big personal best to figure here though.
3.40
FACILE VEGA is a skinny price with good reason after he landed his third Grade 1 victory and his first over hurdles here at Christmas.
He went from the front there and jumped really well in landing a comfortable win.
Stablemate Il Etait Temps chased him home there and will fancy his chances of making the runner-up spot again.
That’s not a given though as Joseph O’Brien hope High Definition transferred his classy Flat form to hurdles when winning in a big field here on debut.
This is a lot hotter company but he should take a major step forward.
Inthepocket was value for further than his winning margin of a neck in a Naas Grade 2. That was just his second spin over hurdles so should have learned plenty from
Leopardstown tips
LEOPARDSTOWN SUNDAY
1.10 Liberty Dance
1.40 Mighty Potter
2.10 Blue Lord
2.40 Ciel De Neige
3.10 Honeysuckle
3.40 Facile Vega
4.10 Gaelic Warrior
4.40 Mollys Mango
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