The Henry de Bromhead-trained super mare is now 14 wins from 14 runs and equals Bula’s longstanding record, after her win in the €200,00 Grade 1 over 2 miles.

Nestled in third throughout by Rachael Blackmore, the eight-year-old jumped into the lead at the second last flight of hurdles. To the cheers of the crowd in the stands, the mare extended her lead before the final flight, defeating her main market rival Zanahiyr (6/1) by six and a half lengths, with 25/1 Echoes In Rain a further half a length back in third.

14 out of 14!

All class – the brilliant Honeysuckle lands a third @Chanelle_Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival@rachaelblackmor | @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/l1SdHrjmNt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Grade 1 treble for Townend and Mullins

The Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase of €150,000 was the first of a Grade 1 treble for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Galopin Des Champs (4/9f), highly impressive in a beginners chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, was a comfortable winner of the 2 mile 5 furlongs contest to claim the €88,500 first prize.

Wow – Galopin Des Champs justifies the hype in the Grade 1 @Ladbrokes Novice Chase! #DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/OuerwjKGYn

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Half an hour later, the Closutton team was back in the winners’ enclosure as 4/7f Chacun Pour Soi came back to form to take the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Steeplechase, worth €150,000, over 2 miles 1 furlong. It was a third win in succession in the race for the French-bred ten-year-old.

Three from three in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase!

That’s more like it from Chacun Pour Soi at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/QMGyxWA6z8

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) of €150,000 run over 2 miles was the final part of a Day 2 treble for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned son of Jeremy, Sir Gerhard (8/13f), had enough in hand coming to the last, which neither he nor the runner-up Three Stripe Life (5/1) jumped very well. He ran out a six-length winner with the same distance further back to Colonel Mustard (14/1) back in third.

Sir Gerhard strikes in the @tatts_ireland Novice Hurdle!

The Champion Bumper winner lands top-level honours over hurdles for @PTownend, Willie Mullins and @CPStudOfficial #DublinRacingFestival | @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/AP7iyA120Y

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 6, 2022

Gordon Elliott scored a 1-2 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle. Davy Russell steered the 7/4 favourite Party Central to victory in the colours of Bective Stud, while the Robcour-owned Say Goodbye (33/1) stayed on for second under jockey Robbie Power, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

The Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase of €125,000 over 2 miles 5 furlongs went to the bottom weight Birchdale (9/2) for Enda Bolger and rider Mark McDonagh.

The winner of the 2 mile Liffey Handicap Hurdle (€125,000) was won by Call Me Lyreen (20/1) while Lily Du Berlais (40/1) was the final winner of the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival as she claimed the highly competitive €100,000 Coolmore N.H. Sires Santiago Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) over 2 miles.

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In the colours of Michael O’Leary’s Giginstown House Stud, the 18/1 shot, stayed on well to hold off the late challenge of 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo (11/2) by six and a half lengths, with the JP McManus-owned Janidil (7/1) a neck further behind in third.

Conflated – a new star in the staying chase division

December 4, @NavanRacecourse – wins the Foxrock Handicap Chase

February 5, @LeopardstownRC – lands the @paddypower Irish Gold Cup #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/gShrnNQh88

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

Minella Cocooner leads all the way in Grade 1

The €150,000 Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle over 2 miles 6 furlongs was won in determined fashion by the front running Minella Cocooner.

In the colours of David Bobbett, the Danny Mullins-ridden gelded son of Flemensfirth, was an eight winner of the race for trainer Willie Mullins. Minella Crooner and Jack Kennedy were runners up at 100/30, and were best of the Gordon Elliott-handled runners. Another Cullentra House resident, Hollow Games (9/4f) was third in the seven-runner field.

An 8⃣th win in this G1 event for @WillieMullinsNH @LeopardstownRC

2012: Boston Bob
2013: Pont Alexandre
2014: Sure Reef
2015: Outlander
2016: A Toi Phil
2017: Let’s Dance
2021: Gaillard Du Mesnil
2022: Minella Cocooner pic.twitter.com/HwkGlYS0x3

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

Quick double for Mullins

Willie Mullins quickly doubled up when Paul Townend steered Vauban (9/2), who came on the outside of the 9-runner field to take the Grade 1 €125,000 Racing TV €12 per Month For This Weekend Only Juvenile Hurdle over 2 miles.

A race in which both Icare Allen (9/2) and Vadaly (18/1) put their unbeaten records on the line, it was Davy Russell’s mount, the 6/5f Fil Dor that gave the eventual winner most to do, before the Closutton inmate Vauban ultimately took the race by three lengths. Another Mullins runner, Il Etait Temps, was two and three-quarter lengths further back in third spot.

That’s a lovely performance from Vauban

Second to Pied Piper on his Irish debut, Vauban records Grade One glory in the Racing TV Spring Juvenile Hurdle for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend at @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/J832tOCt8r

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

Four-timer on the day for Mullins and double for Townend

The €150,000 Grade 1 Patrick Ward Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Steeplechase over 2 miles 1 furlong brought up a Grade 1 double for jockey Paul Townend and a Grade 1 treble for trainer Willie Mullins.

Blue Lord (5/2) siezed the advantage at the last as the favourite Riviere D’etel (2/1f) blundered under Jack Kennedy. With the rider reorganising the mare in the run from the last, the momentum moved to Blue Lord.

The eventual winner crossed in front of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Blue Lord forcing stewards to call an enquiry. Despite the official distance between the winner and runner-up being only half a length, the result stood, giving Willie Mullins an open treble on the card.

The Lord of @LeopardstownRC… just

Some tussle between Blue Lord & Riviere D’etel, but @WillieMullinsNH completes a G1 hat-trick as Blue Lord clings on to land the Irish Arkle under @PTownend in the colours of @simon_munir & Isaac Souede pic.twitter.com/NQ994xLY9h

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 5, 2022

The Paddy Power ‘I’d Love A Can But Pints Are Cheaper’ Handicap Hurdle of €250,000 over an extended 3 miles went to the Kevin Sexton mount Good Time Jonny (17/2) for Co. Meath-based trainer Tony Martin.

A Wave Of The Sea repeated last year’s win in the Paddy Power ‘I’m Never Going Back To The Office’Handicap Steeplechase worth €100,000 over 2 miles and a furlong. The 9/2 chance was a winner for five pound claimer Shane Fitzgerald and trainer Joseph O’Brien.

The final race on the Day 1 card, the Grade 2 Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race (C&G) over 2 miles of €100,000, went the way of Facile Vega (8/11) for Patrick and Willie Mullins.

Day 2 on Sunday is an eight-race card, with Honeysuckle, the crowd favourite, attempting to win another Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

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Past winners include Envoi Allen, Appreciate It and Kilcruit

Goffs Future Stars Bumper (Grade 2) has lived up to its name as a springboard for stars of National Hunt. Past winners that include Envoi Allen (2019) before taking the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and five subsequent Grade 1 victories.  Appreciate It won the Goffs (2020) before being placed in the Champion Bumper and winning three times at Grade 1 level include the 2021 Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Kilcruit, winner of the 2021 Goffs Future Stars, was runner up in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper before taking the Grade 1 Champion Bumper the Punchestown Festival.

High-class list of entries

Commenting on the sponsorship, Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said:

“This time of year marks the launch of the 2022 Goffs Land Rover Sale as we begin the selection of the future jumps stars that will be on offer at Goffs in June.  As part of our commitment to Irish National Hunt Racing, we are proud to sponsor the Goffs Future Stars Bumper at Leopardstown which has attracted another high-class list of entries, and we are delighted to broaden our association with the Dublin Racing Festival through sponsorship of the stable staff canteen”.

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Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors have a long association with Leopardstown and the Irish Arkle. The Ward family name graced the Irish Arkle for the first time in 2010.

That season victory went to the Henry de Bromhead-trained An Cathaoir Mor, and subsequent years have seen winners such as Flemenstar,  Un De Sceaux, Douvan and Energumene.

One of the feature events on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, the Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase was first run as a Grade 1 event in 2002. Subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King was successful on that occasion for trainer Tom Taaffe and Barry Geraghty. He went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years later.

Tim Husbands CEO of Leopardstown welcomed the announcement, stating:

“We are delighted that Patrick is to continue this partnership with Leopardstown, the Ward family have sponsored the Irish Arkle for a number of years and have been part of and supported Dublin Racing Festival since its inception. The Patrick Ward & Company Irish Arkle Novice Chase has attracted a superb entry, from all the leading yards and if the recent performance of last year’s winner of the race; Energumene, are anything to go by, this will be another exciting renewal!”

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Day 1 – Irish Gold Cup

The Paul Nicholls-trained Frodon is among 18 horses entered for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup which will feature on the opening day of the festival for the first time.

Nicholls previously rode the winner of the race in Playschool in 1988 and then trained Neptune Collonges to win in 2009. He has also entered his four-time Grade 1 winner Clan Des Obeaux in the Irish Gold Cup. His King George VI Chase conqueror Tornado Flyer is among an entry of eight in the race for Willie Mullins. The Closutton handler has also engaged Kemboy, last year’s Irish Gold Cup winner, Melon and Asterion Forlonge.

Galvin, successful in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, Mount Ida, Delta Work and Run Wild Fred are on the Gordon Elliott team. Minella Indo and Eklat De Rire have been entered by Henry de Bromhead.

Day 2 – Irish Champion Hurdle

Sunday’s feature is the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle and racing’s star mare Honeysuckle heads the dozen entries as she bids to become only the third horse after Istabraq and Hurricane Fly to win the race on more than two occasions.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare completed a hat-trick of wins in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on her seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse in November. The Kenny Alexander-owned eight-year-old is bidding to extend her remarkable unbeaten winning streak to 14 under Rachael Blackmore.

Her trainer Henry de Bromhead is the only trainer to have won the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle with three different horses, Sizing Europe, Petit Mouchoir and Honeysuckle. He has also entered Quilixios in this year’s renewal. Willie Mullins has four entries, headed by last season’s leading novice hurdler Appreciate It. Leopardstown stalwart Sharjah, a four-time Matheson Hurdle winner and third in Irish Champion Hurdle last year is also among the Mullins string. The champion trainer also has Echoes In Rain and Saint Roi in the race.

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Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle

Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle faces five rivals in the feature race, the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

The Rachael Blackmore-ridden unbeaten superstar will face three from the Willie Mullins stable. Triple Matheson Hurdle winner Sharjah heads Mullins’ team. The champion handler is also represented by Saint Roi and Saldier. Gordon Elliott saddles both Abacadabras and Petit Mouchoir. The latter horse won the 2017 Irish Champion Hurdle when trained by Henry de Bromhead.

Ladbroke’s Dublin Chase

Six horses line up in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Mullins will again have three in this race. Last year’s first and second, Chacun Pour Soi and Min, and Tornado Flyer will represent the Closutton handler.

The 2020 Arkle Novice Chase victor, Notebook, represents Henry de Bromhead in this contest. Jessica Harrington runs Sizing Pottsie and Joseph O’Brien saddles Fakir D’oudairies.

Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle

The first of Saturday’s Grade 1 races is the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle. Course winners Gaillard Du Mesnil and Stattler head Mullins’ strong team. Emmet Mullins runs another leading fancy in Cape Gentleman. Gavin Cromwell has Vanillier in the field. Mouse Morris will be represented by Gentlemansgame. Jessica Harrington’s Ashdale Bob and the Gordon Elliott-trained Fakiera are other notable runners in a field of 13.

Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase

Willie Mullins launches a strong challenge for the Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase. The champion trainer runs Energumene, Franco De Port, Unexcepted and Blackbow. Gavin Cromwell saddles Darver Star, while Henry de Bromhead runs Captain Guinness. Gordon Elliott’s Felix Desjy is another strong entry in the race.

The Matheson Handicap Chase

The Matheson Handicap Chase has a full field of 20. Epson Du Houx will be seeking a hat-trick. Emmet Mullins’ The Shunter, Aramax, trained by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins’ pair, Pont Aven and Andalusa are likely to be some of the main players in the race.

Ladbroke’s Hurdle

Twenty two runners will line up for the Ladbrokes Hurdle. The Eddie Cawley-trained Golden Jewel was runner-up in the contest a year ago. Topping the weights is the Willie Mullins-trained Buildmeupbuttercup. Paul O’Flynn saddles West Cork Wildway. Eclair De Beaufeu is a likely strong challenger for the race, having won the Matheson Handicap Chase in 2020.  Noel Meade’s Hes A Hardy Bloke, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Gabynako, and the Charles Byrnes-trained Advanced Virgo could also be in the reckoning.

Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race

The Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race, won by Envoi Allen in 2019 and Appreciate It last year, will have ten runners. Gordon Elliott relies on Chemical Energy, Willie Mullins runs three. The Closutton team is Kilcruit, Whatdeawant and Ramillies. Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit and the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats are also included.

The first of a seven-race card is underway at 1.05pm. There will be TV coverage on RTÉ, ITV and Racing TV.

A free racecard for Saturday can be accessed here.

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Master McShee, Treacysenniscorthy and Great White Shark are among the handicap entries. The likes of Sir Gerhard, Kilcruit, Flame Bearer, Hollymount and Brandy Love feature in the early line up for the bumpers at Leopardstown on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7.

Ladbrokes Hurdle

Master McShee heads the 51 entries for the Ladbrokes Hurdle on Saturday, February 6. He was an impressive winner on his handicap debut over this course and distance at Christmas. Next weekend, he could renew rivalry with Sea Ducor, the Arthur Moore-trained runner-up that afternoon.

The Eddie Cawley-trained Golden Jewel and Martin Brassil’s You Raised Me Up, second and third respectively in the Ladbrokes Hurdle last year, hold entries once again.

The Willie Mullins-trained Buildmeupbuttercup and Liz Doyle’s Cayd Boy head the weights. Other notable entries include Eclair De Beaufeu for Gordon Elliott, Noel Meade’s novice Cask Mate, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Gabynako and Wolf Prince, Paul O’Flynn’s West Cork Wildway and the Charles Byrnes-trained Advanced Virgo.

Matheson Handicap Chase

There are 28 horses entered for the Matheson Handicap Chase. The recent Naas winner, Epson Du Houx, Emmet Mullins’ The Shunter, Aramax, trained by Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins’ pair, Pont Aven and Andalusa look to be chief among them.

Goffs Future Stars INH Flat Race

Envoi Allen won this race in 2019, while Appreciate It won last year. It has an entry of 16 for 2021. Sir Gerhard, Chemical Energy and Hollow Games represent Gordon Elliott. Willie Mullins has three entries, Kilcruit, Whatdeawant and Ramillies. Pat Doyle’s Flame Bearer and Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit are also included.

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle

Elliott entries dominate at the head of the weights for this contest. Last year’s heroine Black Tears tops the 36 horses in the opening contest on the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Terence O’Brien’s Our Roxanne is entered again. Both Spruced Up and Strange Notions, fourth and fifth a year ago for Eddie Harty and Charles O’Brien respectively are also nominated. Willie Mullins has entered seven horses, including the Leopardstown Christmas Festival winner Dysart Diamond. Declan Queally’s Naas winner Uisce Solas and Henry de Bromhead’s hat-trick seeker Telmesomethinggirl must also have their chance.

William Fry Handicap Hurdle

Willie Mullins is responsible for 10 of the 54 entries in the race. His team includes Great White Shark, a winner at the Galway Festival last July and successful in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket. Koshari, Low Sun and Dandy Mag are others that feature for the champion trainer.

Former Cheltenham Festival winner City Island is also entered. Paul Fahey’s Ballyshannon Rose, Gordon Elliott’s Dallas Des Pictons, Ronan McNally’s The Jam Man, the Fran Flood-trained Millen To One and Pure Genius, are also among the list of entries.

Gaelic Plant Hire Leopardstown Handicap Chase

Treacysenniscorthy is one of a number of significant entries for this race. Trainwreck, Any Second Now and Blazer have been entered again by Henry de Bromhead, Ted Walsh and Willie Mullins. Last year’s victorious trainer, Paul Gilligan, has Born By The Sea this time.

Stones And Roses and Cabaret Queen are others among Willie Mullins’ nine entries. Philip Dempsey’s The Long Mile, the Arthur Moore-trained Crossed My Mind, Henry de Bromhead’s Minella Times and the Tom Mullins-trained Scoir Mear will be of interest come the day.

Coolmore NH Sires Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race

There are 15 horses entered for this Grade 2. Gordon Elliott has only one entry, Party Central. Willie Mullins dominates with six previous winners engaged. His team includes  Brandy Love, Brooklynn Glory, Purple Mountain, Belle Metal and Take Tea. The Stuart Crawford-trained Hollymount was another up to winning on her first start.

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The first three horses home in the Grade 1 Savills Chase at last month’s Leopardstown Christmas Festival are entered for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup. Honeysuckle and Sharjah head the way in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.

Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup

There are 12 horses in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on the second day of the festival. Savills Chase winner A Plus Tard and Minella Indo are both entered by Henry de Bromhead. Kemboy and Melon were second and third in the Savills Chase and Castlebawn West have been entered by champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Last year’s winner Delta Work is entered by Gordon Elliott. The Cullentra trainer could also be represented by Battleoverdoyen, Presenting Percy, Samcro and The Storyteller. Ted Walsh has entered Any Second Now while Joseph O’Brien has Fakir D’oudairies.

Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle heads the nine entries for the Saturday highlight, the Grade 1 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle. She won this race last year and remains unbeaten in nine starts. Her trainer has also entered Aspire Tower.

Willie Mullins’ team of three is headed by Sharjah which could be joined by Saint Roi and Saldier. Abacadabras and Petit Mouchoir have been entered by Gordon Elliott. Noel Meade has Beacon Edge in the race. Winston C, a dual Grade 1 winner in America, could be a first runner at that level in Ireland for Keri Brion. The Pennsylvania native took charge of a number of horses formerly in the care of US trainer Jonathan Sheppard.

The first of the weekend’s Grade 1 races is the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors ‘€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle. The Willie Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil and Stattler are among the 35 race entries. Mullins has ten in the race while Farouk D’alene and Fakiera feature among Gordon Elliott’s entry of eight. The Emmet Mullins-trained Cape Gentleman, Gavin Cromwell’s Vanillier and the Mouse Morris-trained Gentlemansgame are other notable entries.

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase

A Grade 1 for the third-time, the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase has attracted an entry of 11. Last year’s winner Chacun Pour Soi is among them. He could clash with his stable companion Min, who chased him home in 2020. Mullins has also entered Tornado Flyer, second to Min in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December.

Arkle Novice Chase

Henry de Bromhead’s Notebook, successful in the Arkle Novice Chase at last year’s Dublin Racing Festival, is another that could be meeting Chacun Pour Soi for a second time. De Bromhead has also entered Ordinary World, runner-up to Min in 2019, while Gordon Elliott has Battleoverdoyen and Samcro in the race. Jessica Harrington has Impact Factor and Sizing Pottsie, while Castlegrace Paddy and Fakir D’oudairies have been entered by Pat Fahy and Joseph O’Brien respectively.

Willie Mullins is responsible for six of the 15 entries for the Grade 1 Arkle Novice Chase. The champion trainer has his top-flight Christmas winner Franco De Port, Naas scorer Energumene and Asterion Forlonge on his early team. Envoi Allen, Andy Dufresne and Felix Desjy make up Gordon Elliott’s entry. Darver Star is there for Gavin Cromwell while Paul Nolan has Latest Exhibition. Henry de Bromhead has Epson Du Houx and the Naas runner-up Captain Guinness in the race.

Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle

The Grade 1 action on the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival on Sunday, February 7 begins with the Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Gordon Elliott looks to boast a strong hand with leading four-year-old hurdlers Zanahiyr, Quilixios and Duffle Coat among his team of five. Riviere D’etel made a winning debut for the stable at Punchestown and Teahupoo has recently joined Elliott on the back of a debut success at Auteuil in October.

French Aseel s one of four entries for Willie Mullins who also has Gowran Park winner Youmdor. Josh D’id is another French import and he could represent Gavin Cromwell. Sam Curling has entered his Limerick winner Awkwafina, while the Killarney winner Varna Gold is there for Paul Gilligan. Busselton, runner-up to Zanahiyr in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas has been entered by Joseph O’Brien.

The Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle

The Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle  has attracted 25 entries. Among them are Appreciate It, Bob Olinger and Ballyadam for trainers Mullins, Bromhead and Elliott respectively. Mullins also has the mare Gauloise among his team of 10. Elliott has the Navan winner Magic Tricks in his quartet. Paddy Corkery’s Master McShee is entered. Noel Meade has both Cask Mate and Hes A Hardy Bloke among the entries.

Flogas Novice Chase

Monkfish is one of six entries from Closutton in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase. Fellow Grade 1 winners Colreevy and Franco De Port are also entered by Mullins. Envoi Allen is one of five entered by Gordon Elliott as are Pencilfulloflead and Andy Dufresne. The Navan winner Fils D’oudairies and Drinmore Chase runner-up Assemble could yet represent Joseph O’Brien.

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The former Champion Hurdler was bidding to win a second Novice Chase at the highest level, on a day his trainer Willie Mullins had intimated would be Faugheen’s ‘Gold Cup’.

Battleoverdoyen (13/8jf) and Davy Russell took the lead from flag fall in an attempt to burn off the eventual winner, seven years the senior of Gordon Elliott’s runner. Paul Townend staying within a reasonable distance throughout the contest, moving menacingly closer before they turned into the home straight.

Faugheen jumped the final fence ahead of his stablemate Easy Game as early front runner Battleoverdoyen tumbled at the last. Townend took Faugheen to the far rail as Robbie Power and Easy Game (5/1) on the stand side loomed as the big danger.

Both Mullins-trained runners battled each other up the home straight, before Faugheen got up by to the delight of the packed stands who had cheered him throughout the race. In a sign of great sportsmanship, Power immediately congratulated Townend, knowing the significance of Faugheen’s win.

What. A. Horse. Faugheen:

1⃣2⃣ years-old
25 races
17 wins
11 G1 victories
Unbeaten over fences
The horse of a lifetime

Fabulous Faugheen wins the G1 Flogas Novice Chase for @WillieMullinsNH & @PTownend, bringing the house down at @LeopardstownRC! pic.twitter.com/ug6qTQtIRj

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2020

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A first success in the race for both jockey and trainer, Delta Work showed courage and battling attributes to hold off Kemboy and Presenting Percy by a length-and-a-half and three-and-a-quarter-lengths respectively, to win his fifth race at the highest level over fences.

Delta Work vs Kemboy vs Presenting Percy – three warriors, one fine finish

Delta Work wins the Irish Gold Cup for @gelliott_racing & @jackkennedy15 at @LeopardstownRC

Grade One Savills Chase
Grade One Irish Gold Cup

Double completed… next stop Cheltenham pic.twitter.com/tEX89HE7vy

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2020

Wave Of The Sea (12/1) won a dramatic running of The Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1), a race which saw Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle favourite, Aspire Tower, crash out at the final hurdle. The Joseph O’Brien-trained winner crossed the line a length-and-a-half ahead of Gavin Cromwell’s Wolf Prince (10/1), with another O’Brien inmate, Cerberus (6/1) a neck further back.

A dramatic race with changing fortunes!

Following Aspire Tower’s fall at the final flight, A Wave Of The Sea thunders home under Barry Geraghty to land the Grade One @tatts_ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle @LeopardstownRC for @JosephOBrien2

Results https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/rg2j31YaNV

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2020

Aspire Tower (1/3f) received a relieved round of applause from patrons when he rose and walked in front of the stands post race.

Willie and Danny Mullins teamed up to take The Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) over 2 miles with Asterion Forlonge. The Maria Donnelly-owned gelded son of Coastal Path was a decisive nine-and-a-half length winner over Gordon Elliott’s 5/4 favourite Easywork with another four-lengths to Mt Leinster.

@WillieMullinsNH & the G1 Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle @LeopardstownRC:

2020 – Asterion Forlonge
2019 – Klassical Dream
2017 – Bacardys
2016 – Bleu Et Rouge
2015 – Nichols Canyon
2014 – Vautour
2013 – Champagne Fever
1999 – Alexander Banquet pic.twitter.com/iBsuNGqndj

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2020

The winning trainer was tasting success in the top-level contest for the seventh time in eight years, and the eight time in total, having previous won the contest with big names such as Bacardys, Nichols Canyon, Vautour and Alexander Banquet.

Treacysenniscorthy (8/1), under Kevin Brouder, made every post a winning one, in a career-best effort to win The William Fray Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) over three miles, giving the rider a second big win of the 2020 Dublin Racing Festival.

The Robert Widger-trained victor has now won four-on-the-trot, having a length-and-a-half in hand on The Jam Man (16/1), with Column Of Fire (5/1f) a head behind in third.

Davy Russell was seen to his best when bringing Black Tears (14/1) up on the rail side to take The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap for trainer Gordon Elliott. The winner had two-and-a-half-lengths to spare over runner-up Our Roxanne (12/1), with Concertista (10/1) a further two-and-a-quarter lengths behind.

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