TEMPLEGATE takes on a huge Sunday of racing in Ireland confident of some winners.
He goes through every race in detail below – and make sure you take advantage of two huge offers.
Will anything be able to stop the Mullins machine on day two of the DRF?Sportsfile
Paddy Power are offering 45-1 on Galopin Des Champs to win the Irish Gold Cup.
While they also go a huge 35-1 on State Man to win the Irish Champion Hurdle.
12.40
FEET OF A DANCER clocked a personal best when winning in a big field at Fairyhouse last time.
She tanked along over 2m4f and had the race in the bag a long way from home. She’s up the weights but can figure again for in-form Paul Nolan.
Risk Belle was a Grade 3 winner before running below par here last time. Returning to handicap level should help her chances.
Foxy Girl was good at Down Royal in November before being badly hampered at Fairyhouse last time. It would be no surprise to see her bounce back.
1.10
GAELIC WARRIOR can edge out Fact To File in what should be a good contest.
The tip jumped beautifully when winning a Grade 1 at Limerick last time ahead of a useful field.
He was high-class over hurdles, finishing second in the Ballymore and winning the War Of Attrition at Punchestown.
He has transferred that quality to chasing and is likely to take another step forward.
Willie Mullins has another class act in Fact To File who jumped like a natural when winning by 17 lengths here at the Christmas meeting.
This is his stiffest test over fences and he’s another with a lot more to offer.
Grangeclare West is the third classy Mullins runner in the race.
He was surprisingly good when winning a Grade 1 here last time without breaking sweat.
He really enjoyed the three-mile trip but should be fine dropping back in trip too.
Found A Fifty is another Grade 1 winner who had a bit up his sleeve last time. This is tougher but he’s not written off.
1.40
SLADE STEEL could be a bit of value against a hot favourite.
He really battled to take a Grade 2 at Navan last time on the back of a smooth hurdles debut success at Naas in November.
He is proven over this distance and looks open to lots of improvement for Henry De Bromhead.
Ballyburn is the one to beat after winning by 25 lengths in first gear over course and distance last time.
That was over an extra half-mile but dropping in trip won’t be a problem given the pace he showed when winning both his bumpers.
Farren Glory was going like the winner in Aintree’s Grade 1 on Boxing Day before coming down two out.
He won well at Fairyhouse in that grade before that and will be right in the hunt again.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + 50 free spins – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
New customers online only. £10 min stake (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £30 Tote Credit + 50 Free Spins on selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Tote credit subject to 7-day expiry. Free spins subject to 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
2.10
EL FABIOLO has claims to be the best chaser in training and should be much too good for these rivals that are mostly stablemates.
His trainer Willie Mullins has won all six runnings of this race and this seven-year-old has already won the English and Irish Arkles along with another Grade 1 at Punchestown.
He didn’t have to break sweat when winning at Cork on comeback in December and is still improving.
There’s a lot to like about Dinoblue who looked classy when winning a Grade 1 here at the Christmas meeting.
She likes this trip and is progressing nicely. She’s not in El Fabiolo’s league but can fill the forecast spot.
Gentleman De Mee was a seven-length second to Dinoblue last time and it’s likely to be a similar story again.
2.45
STATE MAN can cement his place as the second-best hurdler in training by defending his Irish Champion Hurdle crown.
Only Constitution Hill has been good enough to lower his colours and he looked better than ever when winning the Matheson here last time.
This should tee him up nicely for another trip to Cheltenham.
Impaire Et Passe chased home the tip latest and can repeat the feat. He has plenty of pace for this distance and, as a six-year-old, is capable of improvement.
It would be a surprise if he can progress past his stablemate though.
Bob Olinger has looked his old self this season and was impressive when scoring at Cheltenham last time.
He’s better over 2m4f and faces stiffer opposition here. Echoes In Rain was well beaten in the Matheson and has another uphill struggle here.
3.20
HEART WOOD starts off handicapping from a low mark despite showing promise at novice level.
He was a Grade 1 performer in France over hurdles and has been second on all three chase runs since joining Henry De Bromhead, including at Naas last time.
This slightly longer trip will suit and he can improve.
Meetingofthewaters was brilliant when winning in a big field here at Christmas. The handicapper has shot him up a harsh 15lb for that but he’ll still be competitive.
Paul Townend rides James Du Berlais who was fourth that day but is down the weights now. He’ll appreciate the slight drop in distance and should be right there.
Classic Getaway is another Willie Mullins runner in with a shout. He was just nabbed in a Tramore Grade 3 latest and has more to offer on just his fifth chase run.
Inothewayurthinkin was third in a Limerick Grade 1 last time and should find these waters calmer from what looks a fair handicap mark.
3.50
BIALYSTOK didn’t get much luck in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 last time so did really well to be beaten less than three lengths.
He charged home once in the clear and should find this company a lot easier. This trip and a bit of cut suits so he has every chance.
Common Practice picked up really nicely when winning in a big field last time.
A 9lb rise means he’ll need to find more but he’s only five and has every chance of doing so.
One Last Tango is another carrying the JP McManus colours with a big say.
He won well over course and distance at the Christmas meeting and can figure again, with soft ground ideal.
Magical Zoe and An Tobar both have chances for Henry De Bromhead. The former was a close second in good company last time while the latter looks open to plenty of improvement.
4.25
AURORA VEGA is – unsurprisingly – closely related to Facile Vega and has inherited plenty of the family talent.
She has won all three of her bumpers and moved up to Listed class when winning at Gowran last time.
It’s a slight concern that she hasn’t run since September but Willie Mullins will have her ready.
Mongibello tanked along when winning at Down Royal last time and looks a good prospect. This is a much tougher race but she is capable of improvement.
Baby Kate was impressive in a big field at Cheltenham where she travelled strongly to win in testing conditions. She has to be high on the shortlist.
Femme Magnifique is yet another Mullins to keep an eye on after an impressive debut success at Thurles.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org