Day two of the Dublin Racing Festival on Sunday features some top-class action, including four Grade 1s. They include the Irish Champion Hurdle, and it promises to be a hugely competitive day of action.
The feature Grade 1 has been won by State Man for the last two years running, but he has been below his best this season so could he be vulnerable on this occasion? Let's find out!
Adrian Wall provides his analysis on the big race as well as some other selections on day two at Leopardstown's big meeting, where they race from 12:40-16:25, with the Irish Champion Hurdle itself due off at 15:20.
15:20 – Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)
Willie Mullins has won 16 of the 20 available Grade 1s on the Sunday of the Dublin Racing Festival in the last five years so try not to be too surprised when you realise every selection and next best is trained by the master handler himself. We should be treated to a phenomenal clash in the feature if both Lossiemouth and State Man are at their very best, but there is a suspicion this could be one-way traffic if recent showings are anything to go by and the mare is fancied to come out on top on this occasion.
It has to be said that both come here off the back of a poor effort but State Man's run behind Brighterdaysahead and Winter Fog when beaten around 31 lengths in a Grade 1 here at Christmas has to be worrying. Last season's Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner has always been known for his consistency but it looks like his time at the top could be coming to an end.
Lossiemouth on the other hand bumped into a rejuvenated Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. The five-time Grade 1 winner won the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse nicely on her return to action and although she never looked right from the off when last seen, she did at least stick on well in the closing stages and was closing on Constitution Hill all the way to the line. Her recent form looks far stronger than State Man's at present and she should take a lot of beating here getting weight from him.
SELECTION: LOSSIEMOUTH
NEXT BEST: STATE MAN
13:10 - Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Grade 1, 2m5½f)
A three-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season, Ballyburn was sent chasing this term with a huge reputation and he should be able to brush his rivals aside here if he can bounce back from a below-par display when last seen. He won a 2m3f beginners' chase easily on his chasing bow on reappearance at Punchestown in November, but he was no match for the impressive Sir Gino in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad over 2m at Kempton over the Christmas period.
Ballyburn was off the bridle very early on in that contest and simply didn't have the speed to live with Nicky Henderson's Arkle hope, and that put a lot of pressure on his jumping on what is a very flat track. Stepping back up in trip will really suit Ballyburn and he should take all the beating.
The big danger is stablemate Impaire Et Passe, who looks a transformed horse since sent chasing. Despite winning a Grade 1 over hurdles last season, he didn't live up to expectations, but he's a perfect two from two over larger obstacles and won a Grade 1 at Limerick doing handstands at Christmas.
SELECTION: BALLYBURN
NEXT BEST: IMPAIRE ET PASSE
13:40 - Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m)
The Mullins show should continue here and the most likely winner is the unbeaten Kopek Des Bordes. The €130,000 purchase battered 13 other rivals in a Fairyhouse bumper on debut last March, with several winners coming out of that contest. He was sent off favourite for his debut too so the performance was expected. When last seen on his hurdling bow on St Stephen's Day, he won his maiden hurdle over course and distance in good style and he can handle any ground.
Second to him that day was stablemate Kawaboomga who since won a maiden hurdle to give the form a nice boost. Kopek Des Bordes will have opposition here though and the most likely challenger will be Kaid d'Authie, who won a 2m4f maiden hurdle around here when last seen. The French recruit is a strong-travelling sort who won't mind the drop back to 2m so it should be a fascinating clash between the pair.
SELECTION: KOPEK DES BORDES
NEXT BEST: KAID D'AUTHIE
14:10 - Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1, 2m1f)
If there's one horse who might go well at a much juicier price today then that could be El Fabiolo, who is not to be underestimated on his return to action after 281 days off the track. El Fabiolo was a machine in his novice chase season, beating Jonbon by five lengths en route to winning the Arkle. Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, he was sent off long odds-on for the Champion Chase last season but was pulled up. He won this race last year and although Mullins didn't sound too confident about his chances on his return, he's too big a price to ignore and could be worthy of an each-way investment.
The obvious danger is warm favourite Gaelic Warrior, and if he's anywhere near the form of his Arkle demolition job last season, he will win this race easily. However, he can throw in the odd stinker and he was beaten in his last two Grade 1s around here so at the prices there is sound reason to take him on. He was no match for Solness here at Christmas and will need to improve a good deal for that effort to win this.
SELECTION: EL FABIOLO
NEXT BEST: GAELIC WARRIOR
