Leopardstown Racecourse hosts Day 1 of the 2-day Dublin Racing Festival this afternoon with the opener on a 7-race card going to post at 12.50pm.
This afternoon’s feature event among the four Grade 1 races on the card is the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle over 2 miles. Co. Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead will hope classy mare Honeysuckle can maintain her incredible winning record in the 3.10pm contest. A slight concern for punters might be the fact the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle winner will be going left handed for the first time today.
The Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle over 2m 6f opens the day’s action at 12.50pm, a race in which Latest Exhibition from the Paul Nolan yard is expected to start favourite.
The Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase (Grade 1) at 1.25pm will feature another clash between A Plus Tard and Chacun Pour Soi, who also met at the South Co. Dublin track during the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
Henry de Bromhead will hope Notebook can maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade 1 ERSG Arkle Novice Chase over 2m 1f at 2.00pm, on what could be a productive afternoon for de Bromhead.
Other races on the day’s card are the Grade B Matheson Handicap Steeplechase over 2m 1f, the 2-mile Ladbrokes Hurdle and the Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race (Grade 2), the concluding contest on Day 1 of the Dublin Racing Festival.
