Leopardstown conditions giving Energumene team hope of rolling back the years
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 28 Jan 2026
Evergreen dual Champion Chase hero Energumene is set to captain Tony Bloom’s possible five-strong assault on the Dublin Racing Festival, with connections keen to make the most of optimum conditions in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.
While many have been fearing the worst following the deluge of rain to hit Leopardstown on Tuesday, it has been a welcome sight to the Brighton & Hove Albion supremo and his team, with Willie Mullins’ veteran set to take his place in Sunday’s two-mile Grade One.
Possible opposition could include last season’s Champion Chase winner Marine Nationale and Bloom’s racing manager Sean Graham said: “The original plan with Energumene was step him up in trip, but with the way the ground is looking and if it’s described as heavy then I’d be very keen for him to take his chance.
“Marine Nationale has been taken out of races before when the ground has been soft or heavy and our fellow is in good form and while he’s a 12-year-old now and not getting any younger, this race could really cut up.
“If Majborough runs I would certainly be keen to not give him the soft lead he enjoyed at Cork and for us to, if not make the running, at least sit up on the pace because even though Energumene may have lost a bit of his speed, his jumping is certainly one of his assets.
“It’s been over two years since Energumene has raced on what would be his ground and what you will get is the National Hunt horses who want heavy ground getting it for a change.”
Energumene is set to be joined in Grade One action at the showpiece fixture by The Reverend and fellow high-class recruit from the Flat, Poniros, who has already made his mark in the jumping sphere when winning last year’s Triumph Hurdle at odds of 100-1.
The former made a foot-perfect introduction to his new discipline at Cork and will now head to the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, while Poniros will make his first outing of the season as one of a host of Closutton inmates engaged in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
“I think all our horses will handle the ground. The Reverend won on very bad ground at Ascot and William Hagggas was always of the opinion he wanted it soft. He’s by Lope De Vega so should handle it well,” said Graham.
“The plan is to also to run Poniros in the Irish Champion Hurdle.”
Away from the action at the top table, Bloom’s Grade Two-winning Ile Atlantique will attempt to defy top-weight in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase, with Bunting also in handicap action in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle.
Graham said: “Ile Atlantique will definitely run. His other option was the Red Mills Chase, but there he will be taking on horses rated higher than him, so even though he will have top-weight in a handicap, the prize-money is superb and he won’t mind the ground at all.
“Then we have Bunting in the two-mile handicap hurdle, the trip will be a bit on the sharp side for him but that ground will make it a proper test over two miles. I do think all five horses Tony has with Willie will run on Sunday.”
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