Leopardstown Racecourse will return to the spotlight on Monday, February 2, as the Dublin Racing Festival resumes with a rescheduled Day 1 fixture originally planned for Saturday, January 31. From 1:15pm to 4:40pm, the south Dublin venue will stage a compact but high-impact seven-race programme, built around elite Grade 1 contests and anchored by the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious staying chases in the National Hunt calendar. With championship implications and significant prize money on offer, the afternoon is set to deliver decisive moments for the season ahead.
The opening contest at 1:15pm will be Race 1, the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1). Open to horses aged five and above, the race will be run over 2m6f53y, featuring 9 runners competing for a prize purse of €150,000. Traditionally a key stepping stone for future staying hurdlers, the contest is expected to set a strong early tone.
At 1:50pm, attention will shift to Race 2, the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1). Restricted to four-year-olds, the 2-mile contest will see 7 runners line up for €150,000, placing emphasis on speed, maturity, and tactical precision at the top juvenile level.
The field will expand significantly at 2:25pm for Race 3, the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed). Run over a demanding 3m19y, the race will feature a maximum field of 24 runners, all aged four and above, competing for €100,000 in what is expected to be one of the most competitive races of the afternoon.
Grade 1 action will resume at 2:55pm with Race 4, the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Steeplechase. Open to horses aged five and above, the 2m1f contest will see 3 runners face the starter, each competing for €150,000 in a race where accuracy and composure over fences will be decisive.
The centrepiece of the day will arrive at 3:30pm with Race 5, the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1). Run over 3m100y, open to horses aged five and above, and worth €250,000, the race will bring together a formidable field of 13 runners, representing the very best of Irish staying chasers.
Leading the line-up is Galopin Des Champs, trained by W. P. Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, alongside stablemates Gaelic Warrior, partnered by Mr P. W. Mullins, Spindleberry with Danny Mullins, I Am Maximus ridden by Jack Kennedy, Fact To File with Mark Walsh, Grangeclare West partnered by Brian Hayes, Lecky Watson with Sean O’Keeffe, and Champ Kiely, ridden by J. J. Slevin.
Challenging the Mullins stronghold will be Affordale Fury, trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Donagh Meyler; Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Gavin Cromwell and partnered by Keith Donoghue; Monty’s Star, with Darragh O’Keeffe aboard for Henry De Bromhead; Stellar Story, ridden by Danny Gilligan for Gordon Elliott; and Firefox, partnered by Sean Bowen for Gordon Elliott. With depth, stamina, and championship form on display, the Irish Gold Cup is set to define the day and potentially reshape the Cheltenham picture.
Following the feature, Race 6 at 4:05pm will be the Barberstown Castle Handicap Steeplechase (Listed). Open to horses aged five and above, the 2m1f contest will feature 14 runners competing for €100,000, offering a highly competitive platform for established chasers.
The programme will conclude at 4:40pm with Race 7, the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2). Run over 2 miles, open to four to six-year-olds, the race will see 7 runners contest €100,000, providing a strong closing note to an afternoon built on quality and ambition.
With Grade 1 contests, deep championship fields and substantial prize money throughout, Leopardstown Racecards 2 February are set to deliver a rescheduled festival day that loses none of its stature. As the Irish Gold Cup takes centre stage, the card promises performances that will resonate well beyond Leopardstown and into the heart of the National Hunt season.
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