Live Dublin Racing Festival blog: Video replays, reaction, tips, bookmaker offers and more

• State Man storms to victory over Honeysuckle
• Time for a rethink as Facile Vega floored by stablemate
• Blue Lord plays second fiddle to Gentleman in Dublin
• Mighty performance from Potter at DRF
• Dublin Racing Festival review: She's a Belter
• Nicholls triumphs at Musselburgh
• Jonbon on course for Warwick

All times GMT, please refresh for updates

A mixed day

1650: Not everything has gone right for Willie Mullins this weekend but he still sent out five winners this afternoon.

That's a little bit crazy but reflective of the remarkable depth that he has in his stable. For many seeing a star like Facile Vega beaten would be enough to send you home head in hands but he still has two (aside from Facile Vega) of the leading market contenders for the Sky Bet Supreme in Il Etait Temps and Gaelic Warrior.

I've long since given up trying to work out which one of them will run where but this weekend's action has certainly given us plenty of food for thought and it's thrown a lot of the Cheltenham races wide open when we thought that we'd be looking at odds-on favourites all over the shop.

One horse who remains odds-on is Constitution Hill despite State Man doing everything right in beating Honeysuckle and Vauban but they are the only two runners priced at single figures for the Champion Hurdle.

A lot has got to go right for horses and trainers between now and the middle of March or, at least, not go wrong and there's a little more decent action still to come on the track over the next week or two before the preview circuit goes into overdrive.

Jonbon is due to put the finishing touches to his preparations at Warwick next weekend and I hope you'll join us then to find out how he gets on in the Midlands and to follow events at Newbury.

Festival finale

1633: They are in the paddock for the Grade Two Coolmore N.H. Sires "Santiago" Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race and, unusually, last year's winner is in the line-up.

Lily Du Berlais doesn't impress Luck with her walk but she can certainly run as she showed when landing a 40/1 success 12 months ago; she's just 2/1 today.

Willie Mullins is responsible for the two in the market immediately behind her with Fun Fun Fun a shade shorter than Fancy Girl; Marie Philippe is the other one 'in the betting' at 9/2.

They are on their way to post.

Lily Du Berlais wasn't the only longshot to oblige with other winners returning at 25/1, 16/1, 3/1 and 18/1 and they include Relegate who went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival. There are now 9/4 joint-favourites. Walking in.

You could throw the proverbial blanket over them through the first half of the race as you'd expect. The joint-favourites are in the last two spots and neither are travelling as I would like as they turn in but Fun Fun Fun has now found her stride and Patrick Mullins looks over his shoulder.

She has pulled right away and Fun Fun Fun is clear, clear, clear and home for all money.

Lily Du Berlais got up for second to prove what an in-running shrewdie I am.

Quite what she beat I don't know but that race was in safekeeping once she hit her stride and that was a taking performance.

Going to Town

1623: Townend kept things simple there aboard Gaelic Warrior. It is part of the battle of being a sportsman at any level in being able to quickly put disappointments behind you and focus on the immediate future. He rode Gaelic Warrior as though he was the best horse in the race and wasn't disappointed. The way that the winner jumped out to the right would make you think twice before backing him at Cheltenham though. I'll have to watch last year's replay of the Boodles to see if he did that then.

It's been a mixed Dublin Racing Festival for Townend but he has signed off with a winner and he's with Luck:

"He (Gaelic Warrior) has shown he has loads (of talent). He jumped a bit right. I think it's something we can work on, directly after it now is not the time to try and come up with the answer. He doesn't always do it at home, I don't know why he does it. We can try and sort it out. Probably we'll have to try and find out (if he has a Grade One engine) the next time. He's getting there."

He was then asked if the pace contributed to the defeat of Facile Vega before Luck moved onto Blue Lord and State Man.

"Yeah it definitely did but whether it evaluates getting beat that far I don't know. It was obviously too bad to be true. He was overracing a bit and we were going a good gallop.

"Blue Lord was flat, didn't run to his form of the last day and my initial reaction was that run left more of a mark than we thought. The writing was on the wall a long way from home.

"I thought State Man improved again today. I don't know where his ceiling is yet. I hope we're not getting to the bottom of him yet and can keep improving."

Odds-on Warrior

1602: This (10/11) is a crazy price isn't it?

Gaelic Warrior is 5/6 in what is normally a red-hot, deeply competitive handicap. It may not be as strong a renewal as usual but there are still some useful rivals in opposition. Gaelic Warrior is still a novice so could he take Facile Vega's place in the Supreme if he wins here?

Some of the layers have had that thought with his price on the Oddschecker grid varying between 4/1 and 20/1 - presumably the latter firm has yet to update their market on the feed. Gaelic Warrior would have an unusual profile for the race having been beaten in last year's Boodles Handicap from a mark of 129. He was deemed to be a handicap blot that day and that remains the case despite a 14lb higher mark.

Hey Johnny was my idea of an each-way runner. Walsh highlights Charles Byrnes' runner, All Those Years, citing the trainer's good race record.

They're racing.

Man At Work and Common Practice are out of the race as Effernock Fizz leads by six; Gaelic Warrior is out of trouble in third as they enter the back straight and approach halfway. The field has closed right up as they approach the home straight.

Gaelic Warrior moves powerfully into the lead where he jumps out to his right, quite markedly but still wins doing handstands.

Nibiru was second at 40/1 with Ballyadam, Anna Bunina and Hey Johnny completing the first five.

The market got it right there as it did at Hereford. Did anyone take note of the market movers I highlighted this morning? Rooster Cogburn duly won at 7/2 as did Well Vicky at 11/4. Gambles landed.

Walsh and O'Brien were suitably impressed by Gaelic Warrior and the latter asks Walsh whether the winner could run in the Supreme; not surprisingly there's no definitive answer forthcoming.

Facile victory

1546: Well, what do you make of that?

Il Etait Temps has always been well regarded and was pitched into Grade One company for his hurdling debut last season before running in the Triumph where he performed adequately despite racing too keenly.

Returned at 14/1 today, he's settled better on this occasion and quickened impressively in the closing stages to pull right away from his rivals. It was close for second between Inthepocket and Dark Raven.

Walsh says Facile Vega overrated early but thinks he was beaten too far out for that to be the factor in his defeat. He wasn't faultless at his hurdles either and no doubt more will come out in the wash over the coming days. That has obviously had a big effect on the ante-post market for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and I'll update that market shortly.

Marine Nationale is 9/4 with Sky Bet. Facile Vega is out to 5/1 with Betfair Sportsbook and it's 7/1 Tahmuras. All change.

The winning trainer tells Racing TV: "They went a mad pace and it cost the favourite and Joseph's horse too, he wasn't able to jump at that pace. I was worried when I saw the pace going past the winning post for the first time, I said to David Casey 'these two are going to break each other's hearts'.

"We'll probably have to write the race off. He's not a machine and that's what Paul did there, he rode him like a machine rather than a race horse.

"I always thought a lot of the winner but he had to get his jumping right. Danny rode a cute race and jumped him in behind, let the two in front have their battle and pick up their pieces afterwards."

Luck asks whether Facile Vega will go to Cheltenham if all is well with him tomorrow, "Oh yeah, we'll go to Cheltenham," comes the reply.

And on whether Il Etait Temps and Facile Vega will both run in the Supreme: "All our horses are well entered up!"

Pretty strong words about the ride Paul Townend gave the favourite there. It can't always be an easy thing keeping the trainer / jockey relationship on an even keel; I wonder how long they leave it before they have a debrief. A few deep breaths are needed.

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle

1533: From one rising star to another (perhaps) with Facile Vega taking up the baton in this Grade One.

The dust is still settling on the Irish Champion Hurdle. I only caught the end of an interview with Kenny Alexander but he did say it was always the plan for Honeysuckle to retire this season, regardless of what happened, and she will be away to be covered but hopefully we might see her in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham before then.

Apparently Alexander has ruled her out of the Champion Hurdle during the course of one of his post-race interviews.

This isn't all about Facile Vega (it may be) with some smart rivals dismissed by the market. That said Ted Walsh did dismiss High Definition as 'slow' this morning to Luck's surprise and he's clearly not expecting the smart Flat performer to trouble the favourite.

De Bromhead will be hoping for another good run (in defeat?) from Inthepocket who drops in trip but who has been described as having plenty of pace. James du Berlais failed to build on a promising return after a long lay-off and the same connections will be hoping for better from Dark Raven; the market expects little but he's looked decent in winning all three starts.

Irish Point provides a very good pointer to the ante-post markets as he has finished second to leading Sky Bet Supreme and Ballymore contenders - Marine Nationale (a head) and Champ Kiely (two and a quarter lengths) - the last twice and he could prove a decent yardstick if deemed to have run his race.

Coming in and the layers have shortened up both outsiders Dark Raven and Il Etait Temps with both quoted at 14/1 as High Definition drifted to 9s.

Facile Vega leads past the post for the fist time by a neck from High Definition. Irish Point is four lengths off the back of the field in last. Jerry Hannon believes 'they're going hard at it up front' as they jump the first down the far side where High Definition unseats JJ Slevin, that wasn't his first mistake.

That's a shame. Three of the four runners are on the heels of Facile Vega with Irish Point the exception. He's never been out of last and is under a ride. Facile Vega weakens tamely and finishes last.

Il Etait Temps wins and caps a brilliant weekend for Danny Mullins.

Man enough

1520: Honeysuckle is given a grand reception on her return to the winner's enclosure but the gallant mare proved no match for State Man but can he beat Constitution Hill?

The pre-race 4/1 for the Champion Hurdle is no more with State Man now priced between 5/2 and 10/3 in the antepost markets.

Luck grabs a word with Henry de Bromhead: "I thought she ran really well, delighted with the run and fair play to the winner. I'd say she's probably run to a higher standard but the form people and the gurus will work that out but I thought she ran well and we were happy with her. We know all about her, we don't have to say anything about her heart and her attitude, she was brilliant all the way to the line.

"She's got massive fans and that's lovely but that's National Hunt racing through and through. State Man looked very good and you've got Constitution Hill in England but that's not something I have to worry about.

"The plan was to finish out this season but we'll see. I can't answer that (if we'll see her again). I prefer to speak to Kenny and everyone and we'll see. We'll get through today and see from there."

Willie Mullins with a quick word on Racing TV and a longer one on ITV Racing: "Very happy. He's just improving all the time and did everything right today. Paul said nothing else was going to make it and he wanted to control the race and he did. The horse is not used to being in front but he jumped well enough and Paul thought he was a bit idle in front as well.

"A lot of people have forgotten that he won the County Hurdle and you don't win the County Hurdle with sloppy jumping. He jumped like a Champion Hurdler all the way down the back; Paul asked him some big questions and he came up every time.

"Vauban was a bit giddy before the race, he's still learning and it might be next year before he becomes the horse we think he is. I was pleased with the way he finished his race."

Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle

1500: There's not too long to wait for the big race of the day and it really is a race to savour.

State Man is 5/6 with Honeysuckle 15/8 and Vauban 5/1. Neither Piped Piper nor Zanahiyr are expected to lay a glove on their rivals but neither are bad horses for all that they fall between two stools at present.

Is Honeysuckle as good as she was and would she have been able to beat State Man in her prime? The ratings gurus and analysts will have their say on that over the next week if the market has this race right but don't let that dry analysis take anything away from the spectacle on the track.

We've heard several times already from presenters that their hearts are with Honeysuckle but their heads say no. Sometimes you have to follow your heart don't you?

The cameras are on Honeysuckle in the paddock and she looks very well in herself according to the Racing TV team; she's being applauded as she makes her way around the paddock for the first time. Her sole career defeat, last time out, was on her seasonal reappearance and on testing ground - perhaps the lack of a run just caught her out?

State Man looks 'tighter' than he was at Christmas. Vauban is described as 'smaller' and 'racier' and has 'definitely tightened up quite a bit since Christmas'. The rug has just been taken off Honeysuckle and Luck says she 'looks terrific'.

There is some money for her with State Man now evens and Honeysuckle 6/4. Have rumours of her demise been exaggerated?

11/10 State Man and 11/8 Honeysuckle shows the graphic with the field on their way to post. It seems few were expecting that but is it just sentimental support? 5/4 and 11/8 now which leaves them just a fraction from being sent off joint-favourites.

They are racing. State Man is a reluctant leader it seems. Vauban is under a tight, tight hold in last and made a mistake at the first. He continues to give Danny Mullins a good workout as he attempts to anchor Vauban but the others all race easily enough. One more to jump in the back straight and Honeysuckle tracks State Man; she pecks on landing there but didn't lose any momentum. Two to jump. She gets a reminder after the second last and Blackmore send out distress signals.

State Man continues to pour it on and he wins easily from a gallant Honeysuckle and Vauban. He was returned the 6/5 favourite.

Bulmers Leopardstown Handicap Chase

1433: A cracking handicap to get your teeth into and it's not surprisingly proved to be a popular race for our tipping team.

Indigo Breeze is no longer favourite, Maskada has that honour, but is potentially thrown in on his form with The Real Whacker; the latter has probably improved since the autumn though. Indigo Breeze hasn't always looked the most resolute in the finish though and that would be reason enough for me to take him on.

Ben Linfoot made a case for Farceur Du Large and I like the look of Noel Meade's runner but I couldn't see the market support coming for Vanillier; he's now just 9/1. Simon Torrens has replaced Walsh aboard Ilikedwayurthinkin.

They won't be long in coming forwards and they have made some time up, they'll be away about 4 minutes late.

All standing with a circuit ahead.

Vanillier and Ilikedwayurthinkin depart at the sixth. One or two more beginning to struggle out the back with a mile to run and seven to jump. A bad mistake from Farceur Du Large and another two fallers. Half a mile left.

Glamorgan Duke led over the last but was run down by The Goffer (10/1) for Russell and Elliott. English raider Top Ville Ben ran a blinder for Phil Kirby in third.

We heard from the Coral representative ahead of racing that they'd seen money for The Goffer and his supporters have been well rewarded and had plenty of excitement along the way as that victory didn't often look on the cards.

"I kept asking and he kept responding, he was very brave," Russell tells Berry.

"Down to the last I had to ask him again and he was brave to the line. Competitive race and it was great to get up on top."

Gentleman betters Lord

1422: It was a good ride from Danny Mullins but there didn't appear to be any excuses for Blue Lord who travelled and jumped well before being caught flat-footed when Mullins kicked approaching the straight; he then failed to make any inroads.

Walsh points out that the winner took a couple of runs to find his form last season and did beat Edwardstone at Aintree.

The first two home in the Dublin Chase can both be backed at 10/1 for the Champion Chase with most firms trimming the odds about Edwardstone and Energumene.

Racing at Musselburgh for the Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle where Toothless is odds-on but I'm hoping we'll have some reaction from Leopardstown soon enough. None has been forthcoming while Toothless lived up to his name in Scotland and was allowed to come home in his own time, more or less, with Dancila (13/2) making quite an impressive hurdling debut for Fergal O'Brien.

Luck manages to squeeze in a quick word with the winning jockey.

"Unbelievable, a shock for me. The horse has that engine within him and nice to see him getting back to that; his performances this year were too bad to be true. The way I was jumping all the way down the back straight is exactly what you want from a two miler; even when I got to the top I was delighted to be able to still be sitting as I knew Paul was going to come at me but he hit the line strong.

"He's good at two, that will do me for the moment anyway! Mark will probably be back on him anyway. I spoke to him and he's sore but nothing serious; he's done all the hard work on this horse."

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase

1404: Before we get onto the Grade One two mile chase, a word from Mighty Potter's jockey Davy Russell who spoke to both ITV Racing and Racing TV

"He's gone very sensible in himself, he was very childish in his ways before. Even coming back in he was very sensible in his ways and his performance is going to the next level you know. He's able to figure it (chasing) out a lot quicker than he was hurdles, he had a good upbringing.

"It was a little bit of a shock that Paul made it but he had loads of stamina, that was the only little change that I had to make in my mind you now. Daryl made a mistake early and that didn't help him and after that it all went according to plan.

"He was happy popping away. We went a nice even gallop and he galloped out through the line. He's very versatile groundwise, he's got a massive stride on him. He was the carrot (for coming out of retirement)."

Russell than paid tribute to his father-in-law who passed away earlier this week.

They are trying to catch up time lost at Leopardstown and the runners are on their way to post with Blue Lord the 2/9 favourite, a price that is thoroughly deserved.

They're off and racing with Dunvegan and Gentleman de Mee making the running. They are past halfway with no drama. One to take and Blue Lord is on the heels of the leaders before Gentleman de Mee kicks on the bend and gets Blue Lord off the bridle.

Ooh - a turnover. Gentleman de Mee (15/2) has thrashed him under a good ride from Danny Mullins.

Spare a thought for Mark Walsh who would have been on board but for that fall in the first. There is an update on Walsh with Dr Jennifer Pugh, senior medical officer for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, saying: “Mark Walsh has been stood down for the day following his fall in Race One.

“He has been transferred to St. Vincent’s Hospital for precautionary X-rays but was conscious at all times and moving all limbs.”

Ladbrokes Novice Chase

1344: The last three winners of this race read well enough; they were: Galopin Des Champs, Monkfish and Faugheen. There's plenty for this year's victor to live up to.

The starter is on the rostrum. They're off and Gaillard du Mesnil leads James Du Berlais et al over the first. James Du Berlais made a mistake at the second and dropped to fourth, behind Mighty Potter and Kilcruit. He was better but not brilliant at the third and Jerry Hannon calls a nod on landing at the fourth. Daryl Jacob must be hoping his mount finds his rhythm soon.

Four to jump and Mighty Potter has drawn alongside Gaillard du Mesnil; the whole field covered by half a dozen lengths with two to jump. Mighty Potter goes on on the home turn. He's drawn right away and recorded a wide margin success from Adamantly Chosen. He was returned the even money favourite.

Gaillard du Mesnil very much shaped as though he is in need of a longer trip, staying on after being outpaced and that performance has surely booked his place in the National Hunt Chase.

Elliott has a word with Racing TV: "He was one of our main runners for the weekend and delighted with what he's done. I think he's a good horse. At the moment the thinking is that he'll go for the Turners but we'll see. Great for the owners and Davy; Jack was here and hopefully he'll be back soon. Gerri Colombe is more of a stayer than this lad, this lad is speedier."

Mighty Potter has been cut from 11/4 to around 13/8 for the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. The market is up in the air with some firms with El Fabiolo quoted at 2/1 while Appreciate It and Banbridge can both be backed at 5s; most layers are now offering NRNB.

At Musselburgh Pay The Piper is 3/1 favourite for the Scottish Champion Handicap Chase (For The Bowes-Lyon Trophy).

It's another winner for the Hamiltons as Pay The Piper wins in facile fashion from Fidelio Vallis with the pair a long, long way clear.

Walsh hospitalised

1333: Mark Walsh has been stretchered off the track and taken to hospital but Rachael Blackmore is understood to be okay. There was no update on the equine fallers.

That's desperate news for Walsh who has only just returned to action after injury.

The runners are in the parade ring for the Grade One Ladbrokes Novice Chase and Mighty Potter is odds-on from even money. He comfortably accounted for Gaillard Du Mesnil in the Drinmore and there's no clear reason why that form should be overturned but Townend has opted to ride Gaillard ahead of the exciting James du Berlais who has his second start following a long absence.

Outside of those three, it's 16/1 Kilcruit and 25s and upwards the other pair.

Luck and Berry are running through the field but were momentarily drowned out by the PA system which announced 'the winner's alright, places remain unaltered'. The first was late off and subsequent events mean that this race will go off after time too with the runners still in the paddock with post time a minute away.

Elliott has spoken to ITV Racing about Mighty Potter: "We'll keep it (tactics) simple, we won't complicate it too much. Very good the last day, he was bought to be a chaser and he looks a chaser so we're looking forward to him."

I Am Maximus is quite on edge and getting sweaty in the paddock despite it being a cold day. Kilcruit was also on edge whereas Gaillard Du Mesnil 'just looks an old pro now'. They are on the way to post.

In the third race, Danny Mullins will replace Walsh on Gentleman du Mee.

Scottish Triumph

1323: No, not a reference to the Calcutta Cup but to the opening race at Musselburgh where Bringbackmemories is favourite ahead of Fils De Roi and Afadil; given the latter's connections, I would have expected him to be shorter if he was really fancied.

The first past the post at Leopardstown was trained by Liz Doyle who spoke to Luck:

"Very special, it's my second winner here. Mr McManus is a wonderful supporter of me and so thankful that we can repay him for his kindness. It's taken a while for the penny to drop with her. I'm pretty sure we'll be okay (in the enquiry), fingers crossed.

"Her jumping has come together, she was quite slow through the air and a bit awkward but it's definitely come together. I think she wants a couple of furlongs further. Very pleased. About a month (this has been in the planning). As long as she was only a couple of pounds out of the handicap, they (connections) were happy to run."

The interview was then ended rather abruptly on the back of a mild swear word but I think most will be prepared to forgive her that.

Afadil may have been easy to back but he's won quite nicely, travelling well and then putting his head down and battling. He didn't win by very far but the 7/2 shot still looked pretty green and inexperienced which bodes well for the future, providing he learns of course.

There was some contact between Afadil and Fils De Roi and the stewards may have a look at that. Matt Chapman disparages the form as far as Cheltenham is concerned and that's understandable but doesn't take anything away from a nice prospect.

Risk reward?

1304: Risk Belle has continued to attract support for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle and is just 9/4.

She was described as 'showing up quite well' in a couple of graded races by Fran Berry who joined Luck in running their eyes over the runners in the first. She gets a notable weight for age allowance on her handicap debut.

Walsh was impressed by Liberty Dance when she won at Thurles and believes she's well enough treated in this handicap. When asked about Historique Reconce, he thinks she had a hold-up or two which is why she hasn't been seen for a while and adds that she gets in here off her French mark. She's also been well backed while it's worth reminding those that have just joined that Connell is expecting a big run from De Lady In Red.

The big field is posing one or two problems for the starter. They are away now with the opening race cheer sounding a little lacklustre, perhaps a late night took a toll.

Risk Belle and Historique Reconce are among those racing prominently but Liberty Dance is further back.

Risk Belle has fallen and has brought down another. It looked as though the pace had quickened and she appeared to hit the top of the hurdle and came down quite steeply. The second last was omitted so there was a long run to the last.

Ballybawn Belter (16/1) had a narrow lead at that flight and extended it on the run to the line, holding off Historique Reconce.

A stewards' enquiry has been called but as things stand the next three home were Banntown Girl, Liberty Dance and Elle Perfecta.

That was quite a dramatic start with Mark Walsh and Rachael Blackmore among the jockeys that ended up on the floor while the screens were up at the second last which doesn't bode well for one of the runners. Fingers crossed for all involved.

Mark Your Card

1240: Gary O'Brien has been joined by Ruby Walsh on Racing TV and they are reflecting on yesterday's action.

Moving onto this afternoon and Walsh doesn't believe that Honeysuckle will regain the winning thread in the Irish Champion Hurdle; he doesn't dismiss the idea of her bouncing back but believes that State Man is the best horse that Mullins has run against her and that she could be on the downgrade.

Neither of them fancy Vauban today with O'Brien describing him as 'a work in progress' but both believe that he could prove to be a different proposition in March and April.

James Du Berlais looks 'fresh and well at home' according to Walsh but he doesn't offer anything of note as to Paul Townend preferring Gaillard du Mesnil nor for those seeking to oppose Mighty Potter.

John Hill of bookmakers' Coral is talking to Angus McNae and reports that Honeysuckle is weak in the betting with all the support for State Man.

Gaelic Warrior is one of their best backed horses in the day (2/1 > 5/4) and 'he seems to be in everyone's accumulator', Hill adds. He goes on to mention two other market movers and they are The Goffer in the 1440 and the aforementioned Historique Reconce (12/1 > 6/1) in the opener.

Feeling Blue

1226: I haven't forgiven Blue Lord for his defeat in the Arkle Challenge Trophy which is obviously not the way to approach your betting. That third placed finish behind Edwardstone and Gabynako is the only defeat over fences that the Blue Lord has met with in five starts and he's unlikely to lose this afternoon.

He looks to be in a different class to his four rivals in what is an undeniably disappointing turnout for the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Blue Lord certainly impressed in winning a Grade One over Christmas but I don't think we'll find out how much he's improved until, god willing, he re-opposes Edwardstone in the Champion Chase next month.

Blue Lord has almost eight lengths to find with the Champion Chase favourite and he seems to have surprised Mullins who had been looking to campaign him over further this season. He's still behind Energumene in the ante-post betting and I doubt that anything he does this afternoon will change that.

It's a big weekend for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede whose El Fabiolo won yesterday.

They will be expecting Blue Lord to win but they will presumably be watching the Ladbrokes Novice Chase more in hope than expectation. They are represented by James Du Berlais who looks a very exciting prospect but this is obviously far tougher than the beginners' chase he won at Fairyhouse and Daryl Jacob is certainly looking forward to the ride as he revealed in his Sporting Life column.

"He might have been a bit fresh and free that day, but you’ve got to remember he was coming off the back of 612 days off and he did it very easily," he said.

"The bounce factor is always in the back of your mind but less so with one of Willie’s – look at what he did with Carefully Selected – and I’m hopeful of a really big performance in what looks a competitive Grade 1."

Head girl

1204: As you can see from Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings, Honeysuckle is still the top-rated runner in the Irish Champion Hurdle but some have been quick to write off the hugely popular mare.

Writing in his Attheraces column, ex-Timeform alumni Simon Rowlands wrote that 'rumours of her demise have been exaggerated in some parts, it is just that she has largely beaten-up inferior rivals in recent times'.

It does seem as though there are one or two potential stars among the current crop of two mile hurdlers and age will, at some point, catch up with Honeysuckle and the combination certainly makes her opposable. Momentum is with State Man who is unbeaten in five starts since falling on debut for Mullins and we're no nearer to finding out where his limitations lie.

He's handled every task with aplomb and looks to possess plenty of gears. In contrast, Vauban isn't slow with a tilt at the Melbourne Cup having been mooted for last season's Triumph Hurdle winner. It's surprising that more use wasn't made of him in the Matheson Hurdle where he was held-up having raced prominently in previous races; he has travelled strongly, even a shade keenly, so perhaps the Closutton team have been working on getting him to conserve his energy.

That's an imponderable but if that is the case I wouldn't necessarily expect Vauban to revert to more forcing tactics as it could potentially undo the work that's been done.

Honeysuckle is versatile and tractable so it shouldn't make too much difference to her how the race is run and a terrific race is in prospect. The winner? I have no idea but I am hoping to see Honeysuckle run right up to her best; whether that's good enough or not, we'll find out in a few hours time.

Dark arts

1142: The Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh has attracted an intriguing field, some of whom may be able to answer some unresolved questions.

Coltor makes his hurdling debut for Roger Fell having shaped well for the stable on the Flat on his first start since leaving Dermot Weld. He ran well enough in the 2021 Fred Winter, should be suited by this trip and has cheekpieces reapplied but there's no market encouragement.

Shearer wasn't quite in the Gaelic Warrior bracket but he was sent off the 2/1 favourite in a 12 runner field at Cheltenham in November but unseated there and then ran badly against the re-opposing Abuffalosoldier. He's been freshened up and it wouldn't be a shock to see him produce a run far more in keeping with those early expectations.

Bardenstown Lad is one of three Irish trained runners and arguably of more interest than Elliott's pair who are both priced at around 20/1. Last season's Albert Bartlett third has seemingly downed tools over fences but could be rejuvenated by this return to the smaller obstacles and he appears to be on a fair enough handicap mark.

The return to hurdling has belatedly worked the oracle for Hurricane Harvey and he's well enough handicapped on the pick of his old form while Coolbane Boy's course and distance win got a boost of sorts yesterday when the runner-up finished fourth to Green Book at Sandown having won at Kelso in the interim.

He'd be the one I'd be edging towards but there has been a 'plunge' on Brandy McQueen who is 9/2 from 11s to make the most of the weight that he receives from his rivals. He also won over course and distance last time and has thrived since being stepped up in distance; further progress is clearly expected.

Invincible Warrior

1120: It didn't work out for Maxxum yesterday but perhaps we will see another similarly short-priced winner of a handicap today.

Gaelic Warrior was all the rage ahead of stable debut at the Cheltenham Festival but was beaten a short-head by Brazil at 13/8. He's faced too facile tasks this season, winning at 1/12 and 1/14, and is a general 5/4 to defy top-weight and beat 16 rivals in the Festina Lente Charity Liffey Handicap Hurdle.

There's no doubting the excitement surrounding the novice who is around 6/1 for next month's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and the prominent racing style that he's adopted thus far for Mullins should help to keep him out of trouble in this large field.

This is usually one of the hottest two mile handicap hurdles of the season though and I'd far rather be playing each-way against him than backing him at that price.

Charles Byrnes won the race in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and saddles All Those Years who, coincidentally, beat De Lady In Red a little over a year ago. He hasn't troubled the judge since but his trainer's record ensures that he merits respect. I'll be keeping a close eye on Good Time Jonny who has unfinished business at Cheltenham but this trip is on the short side for him and stablemate Nibiru is of more interest today.

There's been money for Gordon Elliott's Fortunedefortunata which obviously looks significant but I like the claims of Hey Jonny who won well at Thurles and could still be on an upward curve.

An audience member at Leopardstown asked the Luck On Sunday panel for their handicap fancies today.

Jane Mangan put up Risk Belle in the first, Ted Walsh answered 'no' and Brian Gleeson described Gaelic Warrior as 'interesting' before going on to mention Maskada and Ilikedwayurthinkin; the latter represents Gavin Cromwell who won both handicaps yesterday.

Sharp shooter?

1102: It can be fun scanning the market movers for the less high profile cards on big days and there are a couple on the Oddschecker page that catch the eye at Hereford.

Ben Jones has yet to ride a winner for Peter Bowen but they team up with Rooster Cogburn (17/2 > 3/1) in the Black Mountain Botanicals Handicap Chase - which sounds like there might be a prize worth winning - who has had two starts on unsuitable ground after missing 2022 and it seems that some feel Rooster Cogburn will enjoy the quicker conditions.

Sageburg County (11/4 > 11/8) has obvious claims in the first as does stablemate Abuffalosoldier (4/1 > 11/4) at Musselburgh but my eye wasn't immediately drawn to Well Vicky (8/1 > 5/1) in the Sky Sports Racing Channel 415 Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

She's trained by Alistair Ralph, who sent out yesterday's Edinburgh National winner, but hasn't excelled in three starts in maiden and novice hurdles; those performances have resulted in an initial mark of 80 and the market clearly expects Well Vicky to be more competitive among the rank and file.

Power moves

1047: Paddy Power tweeted their market movers for day two of the Dublin Racing Festival an hour ago and I've reproduced them below.

1310 Risk Belle 15/4 from 4/1

1410 Gentleman De Mee 7/1 from 15/2; Sceau Royal 17/2 from 10/1

1440 Charlie Stout 40/1 from 66s

1510 State Man 4/5 from 10/11

1610 Whatsavailable 14/1 from 20s

1640 Rockstown Girl 18/1 from 20s

Not too much to shout about there arguably although seeing the lovable Sceau Royal featured reminds me that a half-brother runs for Paul Nicholls at Musselburgh. He goes by the name of Toothless and runs in the Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle for which he's odds-on.

Nicholls sends a couple of exciting prospects to Scotland for the valuable card, a meeting he has always supported, and Toothless made a fine start for the Somerset handler in winning by 35 lengths at Fakenham. He does hold an entry for the Sky Bet Supreme at Cheltenham next month and may need to produce a similar performance to impact on the ante-post markets.

She's a hit

1026: Does Chris De Burgh's successful anthem The Lady In Red still get played?

That's one from the archives but I caught the last 20 seconds or so of Nick Luck interviewing Barry Connell on Luck On Sunday and they'd been talking about Connell's runner in the opening race, De Lady In Red, and the owner / trainer was confident that she 'would finish in the money' today.

A slight caveat is that they pay prize money down to sixth place but there are a few bookmakers paying down to sixth spot and De Lady In Red is a general 25/1 chance on her reappearance. Generally progressive in her first season for Connell, she was sent off at 14/1 in last year's renewal only to fall at the fifth.

There are certainly no concerns about the trainer's form following the impressive victory of Good Land yesterday.

The top of the market is reasonably open as you might expect with Risk Belle 7/2 (from 9/2), Liberty Dance 4/1 and Historique Reconce 6/1 (from 8s). The last named is trained by Willie Mullins who said of his mare in his Sporting Life column:

"This will be a big step up in class for her having won a race in Tramore last time. This is probably the most prize money she’ll ever run for and if she could finish in the first three that would be fantastic. She has to post a career best to do that though."

As I mentioned yesterday, Mullins has won maiden hurdles at Tramore (as Historique Reconce did) with some smart individuals including Saint Roi, Laurina and El Fabiolo among others.

Stablemate Risk Belle didn't win at Tramore but she does drop to handicap company after running in graded races the last twice; both were won by Lossiemouth and she should find this company more to her liking.

Greetings

1018: Good morning and welcome,

The opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival certainly lived up to its billing with some top-class racing and drama. I can't help but feel that Lossiemouth's troubles in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle added to the card rather than detracted from it although I doubt connections feel the same way.

In the aftermath of the race, owner Rich Ricci mentioned that they were still without a Grade One victory this season but was hopeful that they would pick one up today. The market doesn't expect Vauban to get the better of State Man and Honeysuckle in the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle but the Triumph Hurdle winner is not without his supporters.

Vauban lacked a run when second to State Man in the Matheson Hurdle and he was also ridden with more restraint than we were used to seeing last season. He finished over four lengths adrift but perhaps that run will have brought him forwards and can help him close the gap.

It looked as though the weather was closing in at Leopardstown towards the end of racing yesterday but there was only 1mm of rain recorded at the track; the going and non-runner news can be found in the usual places.

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