Tag Archive for: Leopardstown

Good Land out to shake up established order in Leopardstown opener

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Owner-trainer Barry Connell considers Good Land a worthy favourite for the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors “50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff” Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The two-mile-six-furlong contest is the first of eight Grade Ones scheduled to take place across a mouthwatering two days at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival – and while Willie Mullins looks set dominate, it is Connell’s charge who is poised to head the market for the curtain-raiser.

Wexford bumper winner Good Land made it no further than the first flight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse, but proved his class with an impressive victory at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

He steps up in distance and class this weekend, but Connell is confident he will prove hard to beat.

He said: “He’s in good order and worked well during the week. All is good with him.

“They’re putting plenty of water on the track so the ground should be fine and the step up in trip won’t be an issue.

“He doesn’t have to improve too much. After his performance the last day over the course, he probably deserves to be favourite.

“I think he’s come on since Christmas and we’re hoping for a big run.”

Mullins fires a twin assault at a prize he has won seven times in the last 10 years, with stable jockey Paul Townend preferring Tramore winner Quais De Paris to Grangeclare West, who needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Naas earlier in the month under the trainer’s nephew, Danny.

“Grangeclare West was very impressive when he won and Quais De Paris was probably less impressive, but it’s a tight track in Tramore and I brought him down for the ground,” said Mullins.

“He’s a big horse who will appreciate a longer trip and he’ll improve an awful lot. The bare evidence of that form probably wouldn’t be good enough, but we’ve brought plenty of horses down to Tramore and on to Leopardstown and Cheltenham and it’s worked.”

Paul Nolan claimed this race in 2020 with Latest Exhibition and has high hopes for Sandor Clegane, who was runner-up to Facile Vega in a bumper at this meeting 12 months ago and opened his account over hurdles with a 12-length verdict at Punchestown in November.

Nolan said: “He’s only had two runs over hurdles, he was placed in his first run and then improved a lot from that to win at Punchestown.

Sandor Clegane after winning at Punchestown
Sandor Clegane after winning at Punchestown (Alan Magee/PA)

“It is a big step up now again and hopefully he can run with credit. He seems in good form and we hope for the best.

“It’s a big step up in class and it looks a very hot race – all nine have declared and you can make a case for all nine of them in it.

“This fella is still a young horse and he’s a big scopey individual and we hope he can stay in one piece. He is full of potential and we hope he can run with credit on Saturday.”

Deep Cave recorded a narrow win at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival and represents the formidable combination of Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

Deep Cave and Rachael Blackmore in the clear
Deep Cave and Rachael Blackmore in the clear (Niall Carson/PA)

“I thought he won really nicely at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’s only a young horse, but he’s progressed with every run,” said de Bromhead.

“He’s only a five-year-old, but he’s a really nice horse and one we’re looking forward to running.”

British hopes are carried by Weveallbeencaught, who had subsequent Cheltenham winner Rock My Way in behind when scoring at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day.

The six-year-old is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and will ridden by his son Sam, who said: “His form has worked out nicely after Saturday, so fingers crossed.

“It is a lot hotter out there (Ireland), mind. The owners wanted to have a go, so we are heading to Leopardstown.”

Gordon Elliott’s trio of American Mike, Absolute Notions and Cool Survivor complete the field, with the first named horse looking to bounce back from an odds-on defeat in the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan in November.

“He wasn’t right the last day – he scoped dirty after the race,” said Elliott.

“But he is in good form now and we are running him and we’re hoping for a better run the next day.”

Irish Arkle promises to be ‘most exciting race of the weekend’

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Patrick Mullins considers Appreciate It as the clear pick of five runners for his father Willie in a fascinating renewal of the Goffs Irish Arkle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Un De Sceaux (2015), Douvan (2016) and Footpad (2018) all claimed this Grade One prize en route to winning the Arkle at Cheltenham the following month, while last season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energumene (2021) also features on the roll of honour for the Mullins team.

The champion trainer appears intent on adding to his tally this weekend, with Appreciate It joined by a quartet of stablemates in Dysart Dynamo, El Fabiolo, Saint Roi and Flame Bearer.

“They’ve all had good wins over fences, so it will be interesting to see them all,” said Mullins senior.

“We were hoping to keep them apart, but they have to go for the prize-money. They’re all owned by different people and we’ll be happy if one of them can win.”

Appreciate It, who memorably landed the 2021 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by 24 lengths, has bolted up over fences at Punchestown and Naas and is the choice of stable jockey Paul Townend.

Danny Mullins partners Dysart Dynamo, a 28-length winner over the course and distance on his chasing debut, while Daryl Jacob is aboard 19-length Fairyhouse scorer El Fabiolo for his retaining owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Dysart Dynamo on his way to winning at Leopardstown last month
Dysart Dynamo on his way to winning at Leopardstown last month (Donall Farmer/PA)

The fact that the Mark Walsh-ridden Saint Roi won a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas and is widely available to back at double-figure odds is clear evidence of the strength in depth Mullins has at his disposal. Flame Bearer, a dual Grade Two-winning hurdler and the mount of Brian Hayes, is an even bigger price.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, is fascinated to see how the race plays out, but is very much in the Appreciate It camp at this stage.

He said: “The Irish Arkle is probably the most exciting race of the weekend, and that is saying something. It’s the most competitive novice chase I’ve seen for a long, long time.

“We’ve Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo, Flame Bearer, El Fabiolo and Saint Roi and they all deserve to be there. It is more than likely going to be very hectic, but I’m a big, big fan of Appreciate It and while there are a lot of very, very good horses in the race, I just think he could be the best of them.

“Willie went to walk the track on Thursday and he was very happy with what he saw.

“It’ll be very exciting to watch, there’s sure to be lots of pace but I think that will suit Appreciate It all the more.”

The horse bookmakers feel is most likely to upset the Mullins brigade is Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge, who impressed in winning an Arkle trial at Cheltenham in November before finishing third in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

“It looks an outstanding novice chase – all the principals are there,” said O’Brien.

“Banbridge has earned his spot, I think, being a Grade Two winner this year. We’re looking forward to the race and hoping for a good run, too.

“Coming back in trip certainly won’t inconvenience him and I think nicer ground will help as well.”

Peter Fahey’s Visionarian and the Gordon Elliott-trained Fil Dor finished second and third respectively to Saint Roi last month and take him on again.

Fahey said: “He is going to have to improve, but the biggest thing with him – without wanting to put the mockers on him – is his jumping is so quick.

“He seems to be a quick and accurate jumper, which is a definite plus on his side. I think it will be run at a faster pace that it was at Christmas and fingers crossed he runs a big race.”

Fil Dor has won at Leopardstown before
Fil Dor has won at Leopardstown before (Niall Carson/PA)

Connections of Fil Dor are hoping the application of cheekpieces will help him raise his game.

Joey Logan, racing manager to owners Caldwell Construction Ltd, said: “The trip is possibly a bit sharp for him, but he’s in great form.

“He landed on the fence three out the last day and got a bad cut – it just didn’t work out for him.

“We’re putting cheekpieces on him to sharpen him up, so we’ll see how we go.

“It’s a very competitive race and we’ll know where we are afterwards, anyway.”

Leopardstown crowd likely to be willing Honeysuckle on this weekend

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There will surely be no popular winner at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival than Honeysuckle if she can raise the roof at Leopardstown for a fourth time in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead’s superstar mare might have claimed the Grade One contest in each of the past three years, as well as registering back-to-back wins in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but for only the second time in her career the market makes her a marginal underdog.

The reason the betting is headed by the Willie Mullins-trained State Man, winner of the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown and Leopardstown’s Matheson Hurdle this winter, is because for the first time in 17-race career to date Honeysuckle tasted defeat when chasing a fourth Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse last month.

While disappointed to see her unbeaten record come to an end, connections of the nine-year-old are from despondent ahead of her return to action, with owner Kenny Alexander’s racing manager Peter Molony of the view that she is still the one to beat.

He said: “We’re excited and always a bit nervous when she runs. It’s no different this time really.

“We’re telling ourselves that now she’s been beaten it takes a bit of pressure off, but I’m not sure it actually does. I think it’s only the second time in her life that she hasn’t been favourite, the other time being when she beat Benie Des Dieux in the Mares’ Hurdle in Cheltenham three years ago.

“I think she’s still the one to beat. Willie’s two (State Man and Vauban) look very talented, exciting young horses coming up to challenge, but Honeysuckle is the reigning champion.

“There seems to be magnificent support behind her, which is great. People love nothing more than a champion who has been defeated and comes back and wins again, so let’s hope she can do it.”

Honeysuckle was beaten just under three lengths at Fairyhouse in early December, form which has been well advertised by the winner Teahupoo’s subsequent success in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Molony feels there was an over-reaction to the defeat, adding: “Her last run in the Hatton’s Grace on ratings is right up there with any run she’s ever had in the race. As I’ve said before, if we hadn’t been defending an unbeaten record I think we would have left that day cock-a-hoop.

“On his preferred heavy ground I think Teahupoo is probably the best staying hurdler anywhere and by some distance – he’s a very good horse.

“Leopardstown probably suits us better. I know Henry has a suspicion she’s better left-handed than right-handed, so here we go – we’ll throw our hat into the ring again.”

Honeysuckle was all out when clinging on by half a length from Darver Star in the 2020 Irish Champion, but the last two years have been a cruise – winning by 10 and six and a half lengths respectively.

Henry de Bromhead hopes Honeysuckle can strike Leopardstown gold once more
Henry de Bromhead hopes Honeysuckle can strike Leopardstown gold once more (Brian Lawless/PA)

De Bromhead has clearly done a magnificent job keeping her at the top of her game for so long and insists he has seen no signs at home that she is on the decline.

“It’s incredible to think we’re trying to win it for the fourth time. She needed the line the first year, but she did it and that’s her – heart-on-the-sleeve stuff,” said the County Waterford handler.

“We never dreamt she could do what she did after that. She looked great, but you couldn’t think she’d go on to do what she has. You have to pinch yourself when you have a horse like her.

“Unfortunately she came unstuck in the Hatton’s Grace, but I felt she still ran really well. Obviously it was disappointing to get beaten, but she’s done incredibly well in what she’s done.

“She seems really well in herself and we’re really looking forward to it. We’ll take on these new young guns and and see how we get on.”

The Mullins-trained pair of State Man and Vauban cross swords for the second time this season after being separated by little over four lengths when first and second in last month’s Matheson Hurdle.

That was Triumph Hurdle hero Vauban’s first appearance since scoring at Punchestown in the spring and Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, feels he could make more a race of it on Sunday.

He said: “Honeysuckle looks vulnerable for this first time after she was beaten for the very first time, but she’s still the one to beat and it wasn’t a bad run by any stretch of the imagination.

“Younger legs are hard to keep at bay, though, as Sharjah found out at Christmas.

“It’s going to be a fascinating race and obviously Vauban will improve from Christmas, he didn’t get a clear run once or twice that day and it was first time out so he can get closer to State Man and then it depends on Honeysuckle.

“It will be fascinating to watch. There’s a lot of people at home who are big fans of Vauban, but it’s tough for the five-year-olds and State Man has won two Grade Ones this season. It wouldn’t surprise us if Vauban won, though.”

Gordon Elliott saddles Pied Piper and Zanahiyr, both of whom need to bounce back from disappointing runs, while Tom Mullins’ Takarengo has a mountain to climb on ratings and completes the field.

Lossiemouth leading Mullins’ team in Spring Juvenile Hurdle

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Lossiemouth is out to maintain her unbeaten record in the Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

She heads a six-strong Willie Mullins team that also includes interesting French recruit Gust Of Wind, Jourdefete, Tekao, Cinsa and Gala Marceau, with Brendan Duke’s hurdling debutant Darraby and Henry de Bromhead’s Ascending also in the mix.

Vauban won the race 12 months ago and went on to follow up at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle, sporting the same pink and green Rich Ricci silks as Lossiemouth.

Mullins said: “Everyone knows Lossiemouth. She won in Fairyhouse and won at Christmas in Leopardstown.

“People are not so much aware of Gust Of Wind, who won a very good race in Auteuil. We managed to get him and gave him a little break and he’s coming back now.

“Hopefully he’s up to this standard, I think he is.”

Day one of the Dublin Racing Festival concludes with the Shabra Charity Oliver Brady Memorial Future Stars I.N.H. Flat Race, a Grade Two bumper Willie and Patrick Mullins have combined to win each of the past three years with Appreciate It, Kilcruit and Facile Vega respectively.

This time around Mullins junior had the pick of four runners and has sided with Fact To File over Chosen Witness, Special Cadeau and Largy Hill – but he insists it was not a straightforward choice.

He said: “It was very difficult to chose. Chosen Witness probably has the best run, but Fact To File is doing the best work.

“More often than not I’d go with the best run but with bumper horses it can be a bit different, they’ve only had the one run and can improve so I’ve gone for Fact To File. But I’m not certain I’m on the right one.”

While Mullins possesses a strong hand, it is his brother Tom who saddles the likely favourite in Fascile Mode, who impressed over the course and distance last month.

He said: “He has to back up his win but he’s been fine since and working well so we’ll have a go and see what he can do.

“He will be a stayer in the making I would say but I liked his turn of foot off a real good pace and it was a fast time that day. It was impressive and it was his first time out so hopefully he will improve a little again and if he does it might get him there.

“It’s only missing a couple of English horses and I think they are best that Gordon (Elliott) and Willie have at the moment, so if he beats them on Saturday he is probably the best bumper horse in Ireland.”

All eyes on Galopin Des Champs in Irish Gold Cup

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Galopin Des Champs is a red-hot favourite to enhance his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims with victory in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Incredibly the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was sent off a 100-1 no-hoper at the Dublin Racing Festival two years ago.

Yet since then his only blemish has been in last season’s Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham when he was in the process of handing out a wide-margin beating to Bob Olinger only to slip on landing after the last.

He made amends at Fairyhouse in April and began this campaign with an easy win in the John Durkan at Punchestown. However, despite having a Grade One win in his hurdling days over three miles, this will be his first time over the trip when tackling fences.

“He handled Leopardstown very well last year, which is why I don’t have much trouble going back there. He is a big horse, but when he handled the track there last year I’m happy to go back,” said Mullins.

“He does things in his races so easy, except for his little blip in Cheltenham last year where he slipped on landing.

“He’s never been over this trip over fences, but he has over hurdles and I was never really worried about his stamina. He always showed a nice turn of foot and we’ll find out, but I think he shouldn’t have any problem with it.”

Paul Townend will do the steering and said in his blog for Ladbrokes: “Galopin Des Champs really impressed me in the John Durkan. I love the way he settles and that will give him a brilliant chance of getting home.

“He is on the road for the Gold Cup so he will have to win this if he wants to be favourite for Cheltenham. We will focus on winning this first before getting ahead of ourselves. I think he will take a lot of beating, though.”

The champion trainer also runs Franco De Port, Leopardstown regular and 2021 winner of the race Kemboy and Stattler, winner of the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham who will be reunited with Patrick Mullins.

He was second to 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo at Tramore on his seasonal return but was conceding 8lb.

Stattler and Patrick Mullins on their way to victory at Cheltenham
Stattler and Patrick Mullins on their way to victory at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

His rider said: “I’m delighted to get back on him. Look, Galopin Des Champs is going to be very difficult to beat and Kemboy and Fury Road set a good benchmark, too, but I’m hoping he will be above that benchmark – I’d be hoping we can finish second and you never know.

“It was a great run at Tramore giving all that weight, especially as it was a home game for Minella Indo as he is only five minutes down the road.

“It was a close finish but I don’t think it was a hard race, they only hacked around before sprinting home. He should come forward from that.

“Obviously Stattler stays well, but I don’t think he’s slow. He’s a young horse who is improving and I’m hoping we haven’t seen the best of him yet.”

Ted Walsh’s Grand National stalwart Any Second Now and Peter Fahey’s Grand National aspirant The Bog Dog take on team Mullins, as does Gordon Elliott with Fury Road, a fine third to stablemate Conflated in the Savills Chase last time out.

“He’s in good form. It is a very competitive race and he faces a big step up. He ran well the last day at Leopardstown, so hopefully he runs well again. It is never easy when they come out of novice company,” said Elliott.

Blackmore retains faith as Honeysuckle seeks Irish Champion Hurdle four-timer

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Rachael Blackmore retains “full confidence” in Honeysuckle ahead of her bid for a fourth straight victory in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Despite landing the Dublin Racing Festival showpiece in each of the past three seasons, as well as back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Henry de Bromhead’s superstar mare will return to Foxrock as something of an underdog after suffering the first defeat of her career last time out.

That eclipse came in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, a race she has also won on three occasions, where after travelling with her trademark zest into the straight, she was reeled in and passed by both Teahupoo and Klassical Dream, seeing her beaten for the first time in 17 starts.

Blackmore admits that reverse came as a blow, but insists she was not disappointed with her performance and is confident she will put up a staunch defence of her crown this weekend.

Speaking on a press call after being unveiled as a new ambassador for Betfair, she said: “It was obviously very disappointing that she got beaten, but she put up a very good performance in defeat and we move on to the Irish Champion Hurdle.

“I think it was a combination of very strong opposition on that (soft) ground over that trip (two and a half miles). That combination was ultimately what resulted in her getting beaten.

“Teahupoo is a very good horse, as is Klassical Dream, and I really do feel that she still ran an extremely good race.

“She couldn’t be any better at home and Henry is delighted with her. I obviously love riding her, I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully she puts up a good performance.”

As a result of her Fairyhouse eclipse Honeysuckle is only second in the betting for Sunday’s feature, with the Willie Mullins-trained State Man the clear favourite to add to his previous triumphs this season in the Morgiana at Punchestown and the Matheson at Leopardstown.

Blackmore, however, is paying no attention to the odds and believes anyone who writes off her long-time ally does so at their peril.

“She’s been incredible, she’s unbeaten in Leopardstown and I really wouldn’t be underestimating her in any shape or form – she’s the one they all have to come out and beat,” she added.

“There’s always pressure riding Honeysuckle and with regards to who is favourite and who is not favourite, that is never something I take much notice of, to be honest.

“I’m on her back and I have full confidence in her. If I had lost the faith in Honeysuckle, it would be a very poor reflection of what we’ve achieved.”

Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle after winning last year's Irish Champion Hurdle
Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle after winning last year’s Irish Champion Hurdle (Niall Carson/PA)

Whether Honeysuckle will bid for a third Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month appears dependent on how she performs on Sunday, with a switch to the Mares’ Hurdle at Prestbury and even retirement mentioned as a possibility by her connections.

Blackmore is fully aware the last day she will ride the nine-year-old is drawing closer and she is intent on enjoying every second of the journey while it continues.

She said: “She’s been incredible for my career. Every jockey has a dream of being able to ride something like Honeysuckle and I’m so lucky that I’ve had the association with her.

“We got a fantastic reception in Leopardstown last year – it was one of my favourite moments in racing coming back into the winner’s enclosure. There was an incredible atmosphere and there was such anticipation before the race as well, it was fantastic.

“It would be incredible for her to win a fourth Irish Champion Hurdle. As far when that association is going to end, we know it’s not going to go past this season, but I don’t look too far ahead.

“My main focus is on this Sunday and getting over that and we’ll look to the next thing then, but I don’t really worry myself with things that are too far down the line.”

Sly keeping watch as ex-inmate Cadeau aims for Leopardstown honours

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Pam Sly will be a keen observer when former pupil Special Cadeau tackles the Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The son of Nathaniel was bred, owned and trained by Sly in his formative years, making a winning debut in a Huntingdon bumper for the Singlecote handler as a three-year-old in November 2021 before transferring to Willie Mullins after being sold for £220,000 the following month.

Now owned by the Clipper Logistics Group, the five-year-old made an eye-catching debut for his new Closutton training team in the Leopardstown bumper won by Thomas Mullins’ Fascile Mode over the Christmas period.

Backed into 9-2 for that contest, he was ridden from the front and put up a likeable display before fading into third late on.

However, the front three were well clear of the rest of the field and Sly is looking forward to seeing how the strapping gelding progresses for the master of Closutton.

She said: “I do keep an eye on him. He’s a nice horse and I hope they have a lot of fun with him.

Special Cadeau (grey, rear) finishes third to Fascile Mode (centre) in the Plusvital INH Flat Race during day four of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse
Special Cadeau (grey, rear) finishes third to Fascile Mode (centre) in the Plusvital INH Flat Race during day four of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse (Niall Carson/PA)

“I did say to Willie Mullins that I thought he could win on the Flat because he was big, he was about 17 hands.

“I thought he ran quite well when he was third at Leopardstown over Christmas. They front-ran with him and his outside ear was flicking the whole time, but the others were well behind, including the favourite.

“He’ll look after him, won’t he (Mullins), that’s the joy of it.”

Galopin Des Champs leads Mullins Leopardstown charge

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Galopin Des Champs is the star name among the seven runners declared for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Already a hot favourite to provide trainer Willie Mullins with a third victory in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup next month, the seven-year-old is widely expected to enhance his claims by securing a first chasing win over three miles on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival.

The champion trainer has saddled a record 11 previous winners of the Irish Gold Cup and also sends Stattler, Kemboy and Franco De Port into battle in his bid to make it a dozen.

Last season’s National Hunt Chase winner Stattler ran an excellent race on his only previous start this season when pushing former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo close at Tramore at New Year’s Day, while the 11-year-old Kemboy won the Irish Gold Cup two years ago and is out to regain his crown.

Gordon Elliott has won two of the last three renewals with Delta Work in 2020 and Conflated 12 months ago and this year relies on Fury Road, who finished third behind Conflated and Kemboy in the Savills Chase over the course and distance in December, a race in which Franco De Port also finished fourth.

The Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now and Peter Fahey’s The Big Dog complete the line-up.

Nine runners are set to go to post for the first of eight Grade Ones over the two days – the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors “50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff” Novice Hurdle.

The two-mile-six-furlong contest is one of the few races for which Mullins does not train the favourite, with that honour going to Barry Connell’s impressive course winner Good Land.

Good Land winning at Leopardstown
Good Land winning at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

Mullins is represented by Grangeclare West and Quais De Paris, Paul Nolan will have high hopes for Sandor Clegane and Elliott saddles American Mike, Absolute Notions and Cool Survivor.

British hopes are carried by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Weveallbeencaught, with Henry de Bromhead’s Deep Cave the other hopeful.

Mullins holds the ace hand in the Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle, with his unbeaten odds-on favourite Lossiemouth joined by five stablemates in Gust Of Wind, Jourdefete, Tekao, Cinsa and Gala Marceau. De Bromhead’s Ascending and Brendan Duke’s hurdling debutant Darraby are the other runners.

It is a similar story in the Goffs Irish Arkle, with Appreciate It, Dysart Dynamo, El Fabiolo, Flame Bearer and Saint Roi all declared by Mullins. Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge, Peter Fahey’s Visionarian and Elliott’s Fil Dor complete a fascinating field.

Mullins fires a four-pronged assault at the concluding Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race, with Chosen Witness, Fact To File, Largy Hill and Special Cadeau all in the mix – but it is the Closutton handler’s brother Tom who saddles the market leader in impressive course winner Fascile Mode.

Better Days Ahead from the Elliott yard is another worthy of consideration in a Grade Two contest that promises to be hugely informative with the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in mind.

The Big Dog takes Leopardstown test en route to Aintree

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Peter Fahey is happy to give The Big Dog his Grand National prep run in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The 10-year-old has already enjoyed a fantastic season, winning the Munster National at Limerick and the Troytown Chase at Navan before finishing third under 12 stone in the Welsh Grand National.

The Big Dog will face a big rise in class on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, with Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs among his likely rivals, but Fahey views the Grade One contest as an ideal stepping-stone to Aintree in April.

He said: “At the moment he’ll definitely be running. He came out of the race at Chepstow well.

“It’s a hugely competitive race and Grade One, but it fits in well in that it gives us enough time to aim for Aintree. Hopefully he puts in a big run and it will put us right for the Grand National, which is the main target.

“He’s a little bit behind on ratings on Saturday, but I wouldn’t be worried. It’s a lovely race for him and the ground isn’t going to be too heavy, so it won’t bottom him out too much.

“He’s after having a hard season, running in three big handicaps so far. We’re going into a Grade One race now, but it gives us enough time afterwards to freshen him up for Aintree.”

The Big Dog is one of two planned runners for Fahey on Saturday, with Visionarian set to line up in the Goffs Irish Arkle.

Visionarian winning at Galway
Visionarian winning at Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

The eight-year-old could renew rivalry with Saint Roi, to whom he finished second in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas, while Dysart Dynamo and Appreciate It are other potential opponents.

Visionarian is the rank outsider in ante-post lists, but Fahey is quietly confident about his chances.

He added: “Visionarian worked and schooled on Tuesday and I’m absolutely thrilled with him – he seems to have come on a bit from his last run.

“Hopefully they don’t put water on the track for him, but he’s in good form and I think he’ll run a very big race.”

Honeysuckle and State Man set for Leopardstown clash

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Honeysuckle, State Man and Vauban all feature among six confirmations for Sunday’s Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

After Honeysuckle met with the first defeat of her career last time out in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, in all likelihood it will be the first time she has not been sent off favourite since the 2020 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, when she beat Benie Des Dieux.

Ahead of her in the ante-post betting is Willie Mullins’ State Man, who has progressed from victory in last term’s County Hurdle to win two Grade Ones already this season, landing the Morgiana and Matheson Hurdles.

State Man held off his Willie Mullins stablemate Vauban at Christmas and the champion trainer is happy for them both to meet again in an attempt to prevent a fourth successive victory for Henry de Bromhead’s mare.

Mullins said: “It’s going to be a hell of a race.

“Honeysuckle, I thought, ran very well (in the Hatton’s Grace). A lot of people castigated her for her run in Fairyhouse but I thought it was a great run against that class of horse. She’ll be hard to beat.

“We’ll be doing our best with State Man and Vauban, both ran crackers at Christmas.

“I keep saying he’s (Vauban) only five and he is, though it’s hard for those sort of horses to improve.

“Both of them have pleased me since and we’re looking forward to see if we can take on Kenny Alexander’s Honeysuckle. It’s going to be a very good race, anyhow.”

State Man has emerged as a top-class hurdler this season
State Man has emerged as a top-class hurdler this season (Niall Carson/PA)

The Gordon Elliott duo of Pied Piper and Zanahiyr and Tom Mullins’ outsider Takarengo complete the list.

Only five remain in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase over two miles, where Mullins’ Blue Lord will aim to follow up his win at Christmas and cement his Champion Chase claims.

Sceau Royal, a rare British raider, Dunvegan, Gentleman De Mee and Fastorslow are also engaged.

There are nine left in the Tattersalls Ireland Novices Hurdle over two miles, in which Mullins has another enviable hand.

Facile Vega, Dark Raven, Gaelic Warrior and Il Etait Temps could all run for the champion trainer.

Elliott has American Mike and Irish Point to chose from while De Bromhead’s unbeaten Inthepocket, Joseph O’Brien’s one-time Derby favourite High Definition and Oliver McKiernan’s No Looking Back add further strength in depth.

The Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles and five furlongs has a competitive look to it with 13 left in.

Mullins holds another strong hand with El Fabiolo, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Glengouly, James Du Berlais and Kilcruit among his team, but Elliott should offer stern resistance with Gerri Colombe, Mighty Potter and Fil Dor still in.