Leopardstown will play host to the rescheduled day 1 of the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival on Monday 2nd February, with a stellar card awash with Graded contests and competitive handicap events. Our GG tipster Steve Chambers has picked out his best bets for the top class National Hunt action on Monday, so check them out below.
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2.25 Leopardstown – Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle – SAVANTE (1pt each-way – 16/1)
A hugely competitive 3m Listed handicap hurdle takes place at 2.25pm and plenty will line up with a big chance of running well. County Final and Champagne Kid are two of those at the head of the betting that warrant a second look, but one that could run a huge race off a featherweight is Colm Murphy’s Savante, who is a huge price to land this prize. The seven-year-old mare hasn’t tasted victory since October 2024, but she has run well in defeat and was last seen finishing a creditable 7th in a similar race at Leopardstown over Christmas. She failed to pick up in the closing stages that day, but if she can be more prominently ridden in this event then off the same mark of 117 she looks more than capable of sneaking in the frame.
3.30 Leopardstown – Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup – GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (1pt win – 7/4)
Undoubtedly the standout race of the entire Dublin Racing Festival, the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup at 3.30pm should serve up an absolute thriller in what should be a real first rate Cheltenham Gold Cup trial. Heading the market is Galopin Des Champs, who is bidding for a record-equaling fourth win in the contest and it’s hard to look beyond the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. He made a pleasing return to the track in the Savills Chase in December, where he just tired in the closing stages, but he will strip fitter for that effort, and a return to a track he’s been dominant at should see him reign supreme once again, and duly see him join Florida Pearl on four wins in the contest.
4.05 Leopardstown – Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase – INTHEPOCKET (1pt win – 9/1)
A Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler, Inthepocket has failed to reach the dizzy heights over fences, but the Henry De Bromhead-trained raider can taste a first victory since October 2024 with a win in the Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase at 4.05pm. Last seen finishing fifth at Fairyhouse, the JP McManus-owned nine-year-old has been given a notable chance by the handicapper as he’s been dropped 2lbs, so runs off a mark of 147. He will have the burden of top weight, which will give him a tough test, but he’s the class act of the race, and should he recapture some old form then he can dominate this event from the flag fall.
Dublin Racing Festival Tips – Leopardstown – Monday 2nd Febuary
2.25 Leopardstown – Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle – SAVANTE (1pt each-way – 16/1) – Add To Slip Here