Four horses that caught the eye in defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival

Wow, what a weekend. The racing action at the Dublin Racing Festival and some of the performances from the stars on show can only be described as extraordinary.

The performance of the weekend? It is hard to pinpoint one, but Kilcruit looked a bit special in the Grade Two bumper on Saturday.

“I haven’t seen a performance like that in a bumper for a long time,” was Willie Mullins’ reaction afterwards, and Patrick Mullins made no secret that he held Kilcruit in high regard beforehand.

It is not like the youngster beat below-average rivals, either, as the runner-up had finished second in a Listed contest on his previous start behind Sir Gerhard, and his other opponents had all won at least one bumper.

Mullins discussed his four winners on Saturday on Racing TV, and you can watch the full interview below.

Every interview shown on Racing TV during the Dublin Racing Festival can be viewed on racingtv.com here, plus you can watch all the racing action again in the results and replay section here.

Below are four horses who caught the eye in defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival, and it could pay to follow them over the coming months.

Horse: GENTELMANSGAME

Trainer: Mouse Morris.

Race: Second in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors '50k Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle (1.05pm, Saturday)

Gaillard Du Mensil is now the general 7-2 favourite for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following his smooth victory in this Grade One contest, but there was lots to like about the performance from the runner-up, Gentlemansgame.

The youngster raced a shade keenly throughout before becoming outpaced on the turn for home. However, he found plenty under pressure to rally for second, and will surely be suited over further.

This was also just his second start under rules, and it was encouraging he split a pair of more-experienced rivals.

A winner of his only start in a point-to-point, Gentlemansgame looks an exciting staying chaser in the making, and he is almost certain to be sent over the larger obstacles next season.

It will be interesting to see if connections decide to have a tilt at the Cheltenham Festival this season, as the five-year-old is a best-priced 16-1 with Bet365 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, a race which ought to suit him, judged by this effort.

Trainer: Emmet Mullins.

Race: Third in the Matheson Handicap Chase (2.45pm, Saturday)

The Shunter shaped with promise on his return to fences, and his first start for 83 days, in this competitive handicap on Saturday.

Emmet Mullins’ eight-year-old set a decent pace out in front before losing his place but managed to stay on again to finish third.

This was a change of tactics for The Shunter who was waited with when successful in the Greatwood Hurdle in November, but he also appeared to hit a flat spot in that race before staying on again.

I am hoping connections decide to revert back to hurdles and aim him at the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, which he is a best-priced 20-1 for, as a return to Prestbury Park should suit, and he ought to remain competitive off his career-high rating over hurdles as he was well on top at the finish in the Greatwood.

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead.

Race: Second in the Ladbrokes Hurdle (3.50pm, Saturday)

This six-year-old showed plenty of promise on his first three starts over hurdles last season, including when third in a Grade Three, and his performance on Saturday suggested he is a useful handicap performer in the making.

Rachael Blackmore’s mount looked to have made a winning move on the run to the last but was outbattled by a more experienced rival on the run in.

However, the pair pulled five lengths clear of the third, and this was also Champagne Gold’s first start since November, so he is entitled to strip fitter for the run.

There ought to be more to come as he gains experience in handicaps, plus this was only his fourth start under rules.

He will be nudged up a few pounds in the handicap following this performance, but he may be another that is aimed at the County Hurdle, and he is a best-priced 16-1 for that contest on March 19.

Trainer:Willie Mullins.

Race: Third in the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle (2.10pm, Sunday)

Blue Lord shaped as though a return to 2m4f-plus will suit in this contest having stayed on from an unpromising position to finish six lengths behind Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite, Appreciate It.

Willie Mullins’ French recruit had previously found only the exciting Bob Olinger too good in a Grade One at Naas where he was far too keen throughout, and was unfavoured with the way the race developed.

The six-year-old was held up on Sunday and appeared to settle better, which was a positive, but lacked the gears to mount his challenge at a crucial stage.

If the Cheltenham Festival is on the agenda, connections will surely be eyeing a tilt at the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, and he is chalked up at 20-1 for that Grade One contest.