Monday’s racing has been invigorated by the rearranged Dublin Racing Festival card at Leopardstown, featuring the 2026 running of the Irish Gold Cup.
In that race, and three others, at the Irish venue, Joe Napier picks out our lucky 15 best bets for an exciting Monday.
Leopardstown Racing Tips (Monday 2 February 2026)
The first day’s card of the Dublin Racing Festival has been rearranged for Monday, with seven top class races awaited. All four of our Lucky 15 selections for the day run at the meeting.
1.15 Leopardstown – Doctor Steinberg (1pt win – 15/8)
The slow conditions and increase in distance should convenience Doctor Steinberg, who can get the rearranged second day of the Dublin Racing Festival off to a flyer for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The six-year-old had mixed form in bumpers, but has been a much improved horse for hurdles, beating a subsequent maiden winner, who opposes, by 5½ lengths on his debut over obstacles, with the third having run much better since too. However, it is his second win over timber which has been franked more significantly, as he cosily won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Navan in early December, from which the runner-up has won himself at the same level since. Doctor Steinberg looks to have come to his own for going up to 2m4f and beyond, with this 2m6f trip likely to see him to even better effect.
2.55 Leopardstown – Kargese (1pt win – 15/8)
There are only three runners to choose from in the Irish Arkle, but preference is for turnover of the favourite, with Kargese taken to down Romeo Coolio. The latter has impressed in three starts over fences, but this would appear to be the minimum trip he will ultimately want when chasing, as he needed every yard to catch Irish Panther over Christmas. The selection, on the other hand, is an out and out two-miler, never having raced beyond 2m1f, and looked to have learned the chasing gig when bolting up over course and distance in December when Willie Mullins was struggling for results. Softer ground may not be completely ideal, but she copes with it fine and might just be able to outpace her main market rival if keeping her jumping slick.
3.30 Leopardstown – Inothewayurthinkin (1pt win – 18/1)
A chance is taken on Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin, who has drifted to a very backable price even in spite of his disappointments this season so far. The eight-year-old’s fortunes have roughly mirrored trainer Gavin Cromwell’s this term, but with the yard showing some spark of late, including a 25/1 runner-up at the DRF on Sunday, there could well be a revival, as there was at this point last season. To this stage a year ago, he had been uncompetitive in the same two races he has contested this season, the John Durkan and the Savills Chase, albeit in slightly closer attendance, but showed much more when fourth in this race 12 months ago, staying on late in eyecatching fashion. There can be no minding of his handicap mark here and if able to continue running in line with his trainer’s form, he should be much more involved.
4.05 Leopardstown – Western Diego (1pt win – 7/1)
An impressive winner at Fairyhouse just under three weeks ago, Western Diego could be well placed to go in again for Willie Mullins. That was a first career success over fences when he surged late under Brian Hayes, who retains the ride, but he ultimately ran out a four-length winner in some style, with the 2m1f trip and give in the ground playing to his strengths. An 8lb rise ensures the handicapper is out for revenge, but he could well defy that given the level of improvement he appeared to demonstrate last time out.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Monday 2 February
1.15 Leopardstown – Doctor Steinberg (1pt win – 15/8)
2.55 Leopardstown – Kargese (1pt win – 15/8)
3.30 Leopardstown – Inothewayurthinkin (1pt win – 18/1)
4.05 Leopardstown – Western Diego (1pt win – 7/1)
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Monday 2nd February
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Leopardstown – first race 13:15
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Monday 2 February, which include selections at Leopardstown.
Which racecourses run on Monday 2 February 2026?
Kempton, Leopardstown, Southwell & Wolverhampton.
When were Saturday’s Lucky 15 tips for Leopardstown published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Monday 2 February were published at 10.10am on Monday 2 February.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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