Three races from day one of the Dublin Racing Festival will be included in Saturday’s coverage by ITV Racing, providing a real boost to punters in Britain after the cards at Musselburgh and Wetherby were lost to the weather. It is a significant moment, the first time ITV will broadcast live action from Ireland since it resumed showing racing two years ago, and Min (3.10) can provide the highlight by landing the Dublin Chase.
He beat a similar field by 12 lengths in this race a year ago and, when on song, is a really classy two-miler. Simply Ned and Special Tiara are worthy sorts but, at 12, unlikely to produce career bests.
1.25 Leopardstown The Irish Champion Hurdle is just too early to be live on ITV, alas, though a replay will be shown early on its programme. Apple’s Jade will be a short price for a horse that has not won at this distance for almost three years, so another chance is given to the frustrating Melon, who got within a neck of landing the last Champion Hurdle.
1.45 Lingfield The winner of this last year, Kachy, was made for all-weather racing and should again show his rivals a clean pair of heels.
1.50 Sandown His unbeaten run is at an end but Buveur D’Air should not be marked down too heavily for his Christmas Hurdle lapse against the speedy Verdana Blue. His four rivals here have no realistic form chance of causing a similar upset, although Vision Des Flos has had a wind operation since last seen.
2.00 Leopardstown The eye goes first, in this tricky, big-field handicap hurdle, to Wonder Laish, a taking winner of his last two and from the Charles Byrnes yard that won this race last year. But he is a short price for such a contest and did not have much in hand by the line last time, for which he has been raised 8lbs. Instead, a chance is taken at double-figure odds on Eclair De Beaufeu, a progressive handicap debutant with Gordon Elliott.
2.25 Sandown Defi Du Seuil seemed a blatant non-stayer in the Dipper Chase on New Year’s Day and it will be surprising if he can sustain his effort to the line here. Lostintranslation would still be winless over fences if that race had not fallen in his lap at the last moment, so the way looks clear for the strong-finishing Vinndication to keep up his unbeaten run.
2.55 Lingfield It looks significant that Frankie Dettori, rarely sighted in Britain at this time of year, takes the mount on the classy Wissahickon.
3.00 Sandown Being raised a full stone in the weights is not to be taken lightly but Casko D’Airy earned all that and perhaps more with his Ascot success before Christmas. That was his handicap debut and there should be plenty more to come. He represents Paul Nicholls, who won this last year with a horse now making his way in quality novice chases. Folsom Blue did best of those to hug the inner in that race and may go well again.
3.35 Sandown The in-form Venetia Williams could strike here with Belami Des Pictons, who is still young enough to resume the progress over fences he was showing in 2017.
3.45 Leopardstown Joseph O’Brien’s Le Richebourg looked a star in the making when scoring around here over Christmas. He had a few of these behind him that day and the form should stand up. Mark Walsh will want to keep tabs on the pacey Knocknanuss, however.
Lingfield 12.35 Port Of Leith 1.10 Knight Crusader 1.45 Kachy 2.20 Ballyquin 2.55 Wissahickon 3.30 Mundersfield 4.05 Murray River
Sandown 12.40 El Kaldoun 1.15 Not Another Muddle 1.50 Buveur D’Air 2.25 Vinndication 3.00 Casko D’Airy 3.35 Belami Des Pictons (nb) 4.10 Juge Et Parti
Chelmsford 12.45 Orchid Star 1.35 Field Gun 2.10 Unsuspected Girl 2.45 Yfenni 3.20 Excellent George 3.55 Global Art
Kempton 4.45 Dalness Express 5.15 Global Spectrum 5.45 Probability 6.15 Yimkin 6.45 Scofflaw (nap) 7.15 West Coast Flyer 7.45 Emerald Rocket 8.15 Ember’s Glow