Since the Dublin Racing Festival was introduced in 2018, we’ve seen some incredible action over the two days. Some races were run around this weekend before although a few of those have been upgraded for this Festival. I’ve looked at the eight runnings since its inception but have gone back to the last decade for races where their conditions haven’t really changed.
I’ve also included a last winners list below the trends which offer a view to where they have historically headed to the Cheltenham Festival.
Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 6½f (Race Upgraded for DRF)
Trends
- ALL of the 8 winners had their maximum distance run between 2m4f and 2m5f
- 7 of the 8 winners last ran between 35 and 49 days ago
- 6 of the 8 winners were aged 5 or 7 (both profitable to back blind)
- 6 of the 8 winners last ran at Leopardstown or Navan (both profitable to back blind)
- 6 of the 8 winners had either 2 or 3 runs that season
- 6 of the 8 winners won last time out
Bonus – “Willie Mullins is profitable to back blind but thanks to Danny Mullins”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2025 – Final Demand – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (3rd)
2024 – Dancing City (FR) – Albert Bartlett (3rd)
2023 – Good Land (FR) – Turners Novices Hurdle (4th)
2022 – Minella Cocooner (IRE) – Albert Bartlett (2nd)
2021 – Gaillard Du Mesnil (FR) – Turners Novices Hurdle (2nd)
2020 – Latest Exhibition (IRE) – Albert Bartlett (2nd)
2019 – Commander Of Fleet (IRE) – Albert Bartlett (2nd)
2018 – Tower Bridge (IRE) – Albert Bartlett (5th)
Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
Trends
- ALL of the last 10 winners placed Top 3 last time out
- 8 of the last 10 winners last ran between 36 and 48 days ago
- 8 of the last 10 winners placed Top 2 last time out
- 7 of the last 10 winners came from the Top 2 in the betting
- 7 of the last 10 winners last ran at Leopardstown
- 5 of the last 10 winners were sent off as second favourite (profitable blind)
Bonus – “Willie Mullins is profitable to back blind but again, thanks to Danny Mullins”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2025 – Hello Neighbour – Triumph Hurdle (6th)
2024 – Kargese (FR) – Triumph Hurdle (2nd)
2023 – Gala Marceau (FR) – Triumph Hurdle (2nd)
2022 – Vauban (FR) – Triumph Hurdle (1st)
2021 – Quilixios (GB) – Triumph Hurdle (1st)
2020 – A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) – Triumph Hurdle (7th)
2019 – Sir Erec (IRE) – Triumph Hurdle (DNF)
2018 – Mr Adjudicator (GB) – Triumph Hurdle (2nd)
2017 – Mega Fortune (FR) – Triumph Hurdle (2nd)
2016 – Footpad (FR) – Triumph Hurdle (3rd)
Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) – 3m½f (Race Upgraded for DRF)
Trends
- ALL of the 8 winners were aged between 6 and 9
- ALL of the 8 winners were either French or Irish bred
- 6 of the 8 winners carried less than 11 stone
- 6 of the 8 winners had an OR of 125 to 130 (Last 2 were 137 and 135)
- 5 of the 8 winners ran at Leopardstown last time out
- 5 of the 8 winners won last time out
Bonus – “3 winners held an OR of exactly 125 and show a 270% ROI”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2025 – Perceval Legallois (FR) – No Race
2024 – Maxxum (IRE) – No Race
2023 – Perceval Legallois (FR) – No Race
2022 – Good Time Jonny (IRE) – Albert Bartlett (9th)
2021 – Maze Runner (IRE) – No Race
2020 – Treacysenniscorthy (IRE) – No Race
2019 – Dallas Des Pictons (FR) – Martin Pipe (2nd)
2018 – Total Recall (IRE) – Gold Cup (2nd)
Irish Arkle (Grade 1) – 2m 1f
Trends
- ALL of the last 10 winners last ran between 21 and 49 days ago
- ALL of the last 10 winners came from the Top 3 in the betting
- ALL of the last 10 winners were priced 6/1 or shorter
- 9 of the last 10 winners won last time out (the other was second)
- 8 of the last 10 winners were aged 6 or 7
- 8 of the last 10 winners were French Bred (and the last 5 winners)
- 7 of the last 10 winners were trained by Willie Mullins (loss maker blind)
- 7 of the last 10 winners had NOT won over further than 2m1f
Bonus – “It is profitable to back all runners with an SP of 6/4 or shorter”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2015 – Majborough (FR) – Arkle (3rd)
2024 – Il Etait Temps (FR) – Arkle (3rd)
2023 – El Fabiolo (FR) – Arkle (1st)
2022 – Blue Lord (FR) – Arkle (3rd)
2021 – Energumene (FR) – No Race
2020 – Notebook (GER) – Arkle (6th)
2019 – Le Richebourg (FR) – No Race
2018 – Footpad (FR) – Arkle (1st)
2017 – Some Plan (IRE) – Arkle (6th)
2016 – Douvan (FR) – Arkle (1st)
Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) – 3m½f
Trends
- 9 of the last 10 winners were aged 9 or younger
- 9 of the last 10 winners had an OR of 157 or higher
- 8 of the last 10 winners last ran between 36 and 47 days ago
- 7 of the last 10 winners last ran at Leopardstown
- 7 of the last 10 winners were priced 4/1 or shorter
- 5 of the last 10 winners won last time out (£17.96 Profit Blind – 138% ROI)
Bonus – “Second favourites have the most wins and are profitable to back blind”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2025 – Galopin Des Champs (FR) – Gold Cup (2nd)
2024 – Galopin Des Champs (FR) – Gold Cup (1st)
2023 – Galopin Des Champs (FR) – Gold Cup (1st)
2022 – Conflated (IRE) – Ryanair (Fell)
2021 – Kemboy (FR) – Gold Cup (9th)
2020 – Delta Work (FR) – Gold Cup (5th)
2019 – Bellshill (IRE) – Gold Cup (PU)
2018 – Edwulf (GB) – Gold Cup (8th)
2017 – Sizing John (GB) – Gold Cup (1st)
2016 – Carlingford Lough (IRE) – Gold Cup (4th)
Handicap Chase – 2m 1f (Race Upgraded for DRF)
Trends
- 7 of the 8 winners were no older than 7 (backing 5yo’s & 6yo’s blind is profitable)
- 7 of the 8 winners had no more than 9 runs over hurdles
- 6 of the 8 winners last run between 37 and 56 days ago
- 6 of the 8 winners had an OR between 132 and 142
- 5 of the 8 winners had won over 2m4f or further
- 5 of the 8 winners placed Top 3 last time out
- 4 of the 8 winners came from the Top 3 in the betting
- 4 of the 8 winners last ran at Leopardstown (4 of the last 5)
Bonus – “The only winner of this race who has any Graded wins was A Wave Of The Sea”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2025 – An Peann Dearg – Plate (16th)
2024 – Madara (FR) – Grand Annual (9th)
2023 – Final Orders (GB) – Grand Annual (5th)
2022 – A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) – Plate (15th)
2021 – A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) – Grand Annual (9th)
2020 – Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) – Grand Annual (2nd)
2019 – Quamino (GER) – Novices’ Handicap Chase (PU)
2018 – Patricks Park (IRE) – No Race
Future Stars I.N.H Flat Race (Grade 2) – 2m (New for DRF)
Trends
- ALL of the 8 winners had won last time out
- 7 of the 8 winners had run this season
- 6 of the 8 winners were Irish Bred
- 6 of the 8 winners were 5-year-olds
- 5 of the 8 winners were sent off favourite (not the last three)
- 5 of the 8 winners last ran at Leopardstown or Navan
Bonus – “All 4 of Willie Mullins’ winners were ridden by Patrick Mullins”
Winners and Cheltenham Race Run (Finishing Position):
2025 – Colcannon (IRE) – No Race
2024 – Jeroboam Machin (FR) – No Race
2023 – A Dream To Share (IRE) – Champion Bumper (1st)
2022 – Facile Vega (IRE) – Champion Bumper (1st)
2021 – Kilcruit (IRE) – Champion Bumper (2nd)
2020 – Appreciate It (IRE) – Champion Bumper (2nd)
2019 – Envoi Allen (FR) – Champion Bumper (1st)
2018 – Blackbow (IRE) – Champion Bumper (5th)