Let's Talk Racing: DRF review, Cheltenham handicap horses and more

JOSH: Over the weekend, Willie Mullins made it clear that he sees no reason to step Kopek Des Bordes up in trip, and he’s thinking along the same lines with Final Demand. While Willie is no stranger to changing plans, I think it’s unlikely he’ll have a change of heart on this occasion.

I can understand the punters’ angle regarding Paul Townend likely wanting to ride Salvator Mundi, Kopek Des Bordes, and Final Demand. It’s possible to split the three up to allow Townend to ride them all, but I’m not convinced Willie fully trusts Salvator Mundi in the opener – certainly not to the same extent as he does with Kopek Des Bordes. Could he throw in a few others, like Kawaboomga and Karbau? Possibly. But I still reckon the most likely outcome is that Kopek Des Bordes lines up in the Supreme, with Townend aboard.

I haven’t seen any horse linked with the Albert Bartlett that even remotely compares to Final Demand in terms of quality. I genuinely think he’d hack up in that race, but again, it seems likely he’ll stay at two and a half miles.

ANDREW: Those are brilliant prices to have procured Tom, but with the ever-changing sphere of Willie Mullins' novice hurdle bingo - I'm not sure whether you will get the necessary horses going into the necessary races. Mullins indicated that the pair would be Supreme & Turners bound respectively, but we have seen so often in the past that these things can change. 

The one I couldn't see changing is Kopek Des Bordes unfortunately, as with his free going run style and nimble jumping on the weekend perhaps lending himself to run in the Supreme, Salvator Mundi or not. I'm sure Kopek will be able to go out in trip in time, but I wouldn't be sure there is a need there at the moment and given some of his pre-race tendencies, maybe the shorter trip would suit. I agree with Josh that Final Demand would take some stopping in the Albert Bartlett and given his likely opposition, would be the clear front runner in the market. However, we have seen horses get bottomed out before in attritional editions of that race, and maybe that is weighing on his mind about Final Demand. 

 JOSH: Willy De Houelle was generating plenty of buzz heading into this season – “another Gaelic Warrior,” they said. The Triumph was the clear aim, but after a few defeats in races they’d expected him to win, I think connections reassessed before his DRF run and shifted their focus to seeing him finish his race strongly. That said, he’s been handed a mark of 138, which is quite a lofty one. Aramax won this race off a similar rating, while Band Of Outlaws had a mark just one point higher. However, I believe the Boodles was always the intended target for both of them, whereas for Willy De Houelle, it might be more of an afterthought.

That said, I think the Boodles is the right race to be looking at for clues. I’d expect Hello Neighbour, Galileo Dame, and Lady Vega Allen to be aimed at the Triumph (or possibly the Mares' Novices' Hurdle), but the rest of the field, apart from blowout Sainte Lucie, will likely line up in the Boodles. Of that group, I thought Bacchanalian and Wendrock looked the most interesting when considering the Cheltenham picture.

ANDREW: I'd be the first to admit I have been very short when talking about Willy De Houelle this season, as the hype was far more than I could bare for so early in the season. He showed a lot more promise this time around and perhaps waiting tactics are the way forward for him in the future. 

I don't want to put him quite in this bracket, but he does slightly remind me of Batman Girac, a horse with a tall reputation but also clearly not all together upstairs when it comes to mentally putting his head down. Willy De Houelle has also been given 138, which Josh alluded to, and to me that is very harsh given what he actually achieved in Ireland thus far. He certainly would not be one for me going into the Boodles, and perhaps one to take on given he will likely come in for market support, with Triumph Hurdle backers looking to recoup some lost ante-post slips from earlier in the season. 

JOSH: It’s hard to ignore the ‘sexy novices’ like Kopek Des Bordes and Final Demand, but Galopin Des Champs gave me goosebumps before he’d even jumped the last. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and I’m gutted to have missed it. He’s one of the greatest staying chasers we’ve seen, and quite possibly *the* best to have won at Leopardstown. Racing needs horses like him. To see thousands of people singing ‘ole, ole, ole’ in pure joy after his victory—how often does that happen? It was a truly special moment for the sport.

ANDREW: The world is a better place when Galopin Des Champs is winning races and his performance at Leopardstown on Saturday, albeit perhaps not a career best - did not go far short of bringing the house down. There is always a thrill when you're involved in the quick run to the parade ring after a superstar performance, jostling for vantage point to welcome back in one of the modern-day greats. I've been lucky to witness this a few times with Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Honeysuckle in recent years, and people will remind me that Danoli had that same atmosphere. It is hard to describe, but if you were able to bottle it and sell it, you'd be a rich man. 

It was everything you'd want in a weekend though. We saw some brilliant novices, both over hurdles and fences - to cast our eye to the future. The cherry on top of the cake was a Paul Nolan winner in the handicap as well. It will take a long while in my eyes to have a weekend that could have gone much better. 

JOSH: As expected, Majborough was hugely impressive and won with absolute ease. His jumping could do with a bit of sharpening, but that’s more than forgivable for a five-year-old. I think we'd all have a much brighter view of Majborough's jumping if it hadn't been for Sir Gino's flawless transition to the bigger obstacles. That said, I do have a slight concern he might fall victim to the dreaded ‘second syndrome’ at Cheltenham. I believe he’s more than capable of giving Sir Gino a proper race, but like Min with Altior, I fear he may always fall just short of Nicky Henderson’s superstar when it really counts.

Ruby Walsh mentioned Ballyburn as a potential challenger to Galopin Des Champs next year, but I disagree. I think it’ll be Majborough who poses the biggest threat when he inevitably steps up in trip. He’s a Gold Cup horse in the making.

ANDREW: I thought there was a slight overreaction to Majoborough's jumping if truth be told, and I think we are often guilty of expecting these inexperienced novices to do everything right and not have a single mistake to discuss. It was not foot perfect, but it was still immense - and to me, he did nothing to harm or prevent his chances when it comes to Cheltenham in March. 

He will have to go some to beat Sir Gino, and my lingering feeling is similar to Josh's - that he might just find that one special horse too good. However, as much as he was brilliant - we've only seen it once from Sir Gino over fences as well, and who is to say that he too might make a few mistakes when lining up either this weekend or the next. This Arkle race isn't over by any stretch - mark my words. 

JOSH: Yes, there are quite a few. Bacchanalian and Wendrock, as mentioned earlier, look interesting for the Fred Winter. Gaoth Chuil could be one to watch if he manages to get qualified for the Pertemps, while Patter Merchant and Bleu De Vassy (who needs one more run) could be ones to consider for the Martin Pipe, should either of them line up. Karafon is also worth keeping an eye on, wherever he ends up.

Before being unfairly treated by the Irish handicapper, I was quite keen on Karniquet. However, with a mark of 144, he may now be too high for the Martin Pipe once the British handicapper has his say. Similarly, Storm Heart, who received a 7lb rise to 147 after finishing second, might now find his County Hurdle chances scuppered.

Outside of Leopardstown, I thought The Kalooki Kid was brilliant in the Scottish Champion Chase. He'd have a chance in the Novices' Handicap Chase but I'd imagine is unlikely to run.

ANDREW: As much as there will always be eye-catchers at a meeting like the Dublin Racing Festival, I think it is quite hard to find too many 'ricks' for Cheltenham now, due to what seemed like quite a harsh over-reaction from the Irish Handicapper for those that one would have been interested in. 

Storm Heart was the eye-catcher of them all, but his seven-pound rise is quite ridiculous for coming second and will find it hard to win a County Hurdle from there. 

Two slightly more left field options would be Sequestered - who I would be quite keen on if squeezing into a Kim Muir or National Hunt Chase, he has plenty of experience and bumped into a proverbial 'good thing' on Sunday. Also in that boat is Ol Man Dingle - who if smaller connections decided to chance their arm back up in trip, in a Martin Pipe - would carry my interest. 

JOSH: A very smart novice chaser who’s looked the part in every start this season, particularly on his penultimate outing at Cheltenham. He’s made massive strides since switching to chasing, and while I think he may find it tough to get the better of Sir Gino and Majborough, I’m really hoping L'Eau Du Sud can win this weekend and head to Cheltenham with a genuine chance, especially following the passing of his joint-owner, John Hales.

ANDREW: In all the drama and chat about the Arkle, this horse - who has been relatively blemish free over fences thus far - has become part of the background at the moment and seems to have been forgotten about. Despite his chances for Cheltenham in March seeming slim, due to a well above average pair at the top of the betting for the Arkle - he should not be dismissed as anything lower than a very, very good horse. I would like to hope he should win this weekend, and if doing so, might give himself a sporting chance at fighting it out in the Arkle - even if that bridge is one too far. 

NOLAN / MCKIERNAN / CONNELL HORSE TO BACK (FROM ANDREW): It was super to see at Limerick over Christmas, the return to form of Meet And Greet - who won the usually competitive conditions hurdle in facile fashion. He runs in the Boyne Hurdle on Sunday, a race he was second in a few years ago - and I think the likely conditions are going to be right up his street, I hope he can do the business. 

NEWCOMER TO FOLLOW (FROM JOSH): I'm looking forward to seeing Korkoran make his rules debut in the bumper at Exeter on Sunday. He was picked up for £240,000 by Harry Derham in February last year and has been on the list of exciting new recruits since.