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Declan Rix and Sam Boswell join host Kate Tracey ahead of the Dublin Racing Festival, which takes place at Leopardstown this weekend.
Of the eight Grade 1s scheduled, the trio took a particular interest in the Irish Gold Cup which sees Galopin Des Champs look to emulate Florida Pearl in winning four Irish Gold Cups – securing Willie Mullins a 15th win in the race.
His stablemate Gaelic Warrior is also towards the summit of the market, alongside Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File and Affordale Fury.
Declan Rix…
“Galopin Des Champs’ win in this race last year was ridiculous and the atmosphere turning for home was as good as one as I’ve heard on a racecourse. He shaped as if he needed his run last time – which he had every right to given he had missed the early season with injury – but I’m looking to take him on with something at a bigger price.
“Lecky Watson is one at a massive price for me. He won the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival last year and it was a poor renewal, but he was bone idle the whole way up the straight. He wasn’t sighted in the John Durkan and most recently at Christmas he was up with them jumping the last. He shaped as if needing the race much like Willie Mullins’ horses do and at 50/1, he is far too big and could sneak into the places.”
Host Kate Tracey…
“I’m a sucker for the story aspect and if Galopin Des Champs manages to win four Irish Gold Cups the atmosphere will be unreal, and Jerry Hannon might combust. However, his price is on the short side and I’m going to side with his stable companion Grangeclare West.
Galopin Des Champs goes for a fourth Irish Gold Cup crown
“His record at Leopardstown over fences is very good at the track and people seem to forget about him. He shows signs that his age is catching up with him but he’s a lot more reliable than a lot of them that are ahead of him in the market. I like him quite a lot.”
Sam Boswell…
“Now I’m going to side with the unexposed one in this line-up, but I like how they are campaigning her and being bold. The horse is Spindleberry, who I have talked a lot about this season in Mares divisions. The market hasn’t taken any chances with her price. For her win at Doncaster she went from the front and tried to dominate. She did not seem in love with it but won despite that.
“The owners wanted to go here, and she has nothing to lose in a wide-open renewal. We will learn a lot, and she will either blow out or win – so hopefully we can get her on the right side.”
Watch Weekend Winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel…
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