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DRF Day 1

The first race of the day at Leopardstown in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle, and I’ve already tipped one for that in the telegram. I guess most of you are already in there, but if not, the link to join is below - it was +28 last month.

Moving on to the Spring Juvenile Hurdle, Storm Heart leads the market for the second Grade 1 of the day. However, the Gigginstown horse is drifting despite that 22-length win on debut for Willie Mullins at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve.

I think he still has a really good chance, but I like Intellotto as an EW chance at 7/1. The Joseph O’Brien-trained horse made a seamless transition from the flat to hurdles when winning over C&D by over 4l from Lucy Wang in a maiden at the end of last year. Should be open to more and is of interest up in grade.

The Facile Vega fanboys would love nothing more than to see him turn over Marine Nationale in the Irish Arkle. But I just can’t see that happening and Marine looks a sure thing.

The 15:00 Listed Handicap Hurdle looks like a difficult one to call, but I like Music Of Tara for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead. I sided with her in the newsletter when she finally got off the mark from 7/2 at this course over the festive period, and EW at 9/1 today might not be a bad shout.

Only one horse has won this over 10st 13lb in the last nine years, so Music Of Tara is still within that 10st 11lb despite a 7lb rise for that win here at Christmas. The step up in trip could also suit.

The Irish Gold Cup is the feature of the day, and Galopin Des Champs is hoping to avenge his back-to-back defeats to Fastorslow. The Gold Cup winner was sensational when he romped home by 23l clear of Gerri here in December, and a similar performance to that should see him get the better of Fastorslow.

The Listed Ryanair Handicap Chase, the penultimate race of the day, looks like another hard one to call, but I like Madara. He got off the mark on the third attempt for Sophie Leech at Cheltenham in December, winning by over 3l from In Excelsis Deo from 9/1 under Harry Cobden, and the unexposed 5YO could follow up.

If he returns all well and good, then nothing should be beating A Dream To Share (11/10) in the Grade 2 Future Stars bumper to conclude the day.

The Marine, Galopin, and A Dream To Share treble is 3.24/1 on Bet365 currently. So, I’ll be backing that as well for the craic.

X NAP

Horses and boosts

Newsletter exclusive tip

There’s a lot in here already, but it wouldn’t be a complete newsletter with an exclusive - so I’ve gone for one.

Onethreefivenotout (3/1) in the 13:25 at Sandown. The Paul Nicholls horse pulled up on his first attempt over hurdles in October but has knocked on the door twice since with back-to-back close seconds — including going down by just a neck at Kempton on Boxing Day. He’s stepped back up in trip for his handicap bow today, which should suit, and he should have a big chance.