Dublin Racing Festival 2023 Day Two Preview

Jockey and trainer won this race last year with Party Central and will be hoping for more of the same this campaign as they have a mare in Liberty Dancer that boasts strong claims.

In such a big field it may be worth exploring other runners for more value, but she has shown why she may go off as favourite in this.

She is currently unbeaten in her last two starts where she won over 2 miles on both occasions and the second-placed horse in her last race went on to win next time out so the form is strong.

Stepping up to a race like this should not be an issue for her as she won with plenty in hand the last two times so should have a lot more to give.

Can make further progress here and is a key player.

As this is a race that looks somewhat tricky to call, we have decided to pick two out so our second selection is Risk Belle who is trained by Willie Mullins.

This filly looks a promising sort and she finished 22 lengths fourth of 11 other rivals to Lossiemouth in the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at this course 41 days ago, unsuited by how the race developed.

Has the potential to go well now handicapping so has to be of major interest for a trainer who should have a very good weekend.

The only non Willie Mullins runner in the field and Mighty Potter will be tough to beat if he continues to show progress over fences.

He is currently 2/2 as he won the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse on his last start beating a rival who he faces again here in Gaillard Du Mesnil.

The latter will have to be at his best to reverse any sort of form as Gordon Elliot's charge seems to really have taken well to fences.

Was also a Grade 1 winner over hurdles so has terrific form in previous attempts over the smaller obstacles as well. The one to beat and one to be interested in come the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Jockey and trainer won this race last year with Chacun Pour Soi and have actually won the past five renewals. Blue Lord should continue that trend and make this another winner for the Mullins team.

He is such a solid horse and one I have been following for a while since he was aimed at last year's Arkle. A top-class chaser whose only defeat in 7 starts over fences came when third in that race at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

Somewhat head and shoulders above the rest of the field and will likely establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in this division more so leading up to the 2023 festival.

Beat a very strong-looking lineup last time out over course and distance and remains the one to beat once more here.

Another big field handicap means we have picked out two for this race and we start with Maskada who represents the duo of Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead.

This 7-year-old mare was possibly unlucky when falling in a mares handicap chase at Fairyhouse in December, but backed that up strongly when an impressive winner of the Tim Duggan at Limerick over the Christmas period.

She goes up 9 lbs for that but looks to be hitting a good run of form at the right time. Seems to appreciate any sort of ground meaning she is a versatile sort who can only go on to progress once more.

Form got boosted since last run too which further enhances her credentials here, big player.

Our second selection in this race is Take All who will be having his first run for new trainer John Joseph Hanlon.

It is always no surprise to see horses at bigger odds place in these types of races and sometimes even win them so a chance is taken with this 8-year-old.

He was a creditable 6 1/4 lengths ninth of 28 other rivals to Real Steel in a handicap chase at this course just 40 days ago so he could be primed for a big run with that experience under his belt.

First run for yard after leaving Seamus Fahey could see him involved in the finish at a bigger price that represents more than acceptable each way value.

State Man should take all the beating here, but has to give weight away to the Queen Honeysuckle which could raise a slight concern.

He has flourished so far in his career and keeps on improving for Willie Mullins and his connections. He was last season's County Hurdle winner and quickly adjusted to life in Grade 1 company.

Won very easily at the Punchestown Festival and has continued on an upward curve with impressive wins in the Morgiana Hurdle and the Matheson Hurdle.

Beat stablemate Vauban convincingly last time out and may be too sharp for the mare Honeysuckle. Fascinating race ahead and should turn out as good as it looks on paper.

Worthy favourite and can claim more Grade 1 success here.

The hugely exciting Facile Vega heads the market yet again and is bound to extend his unbeaten run here in what would be another Grade 1 success.

Course and distance winner who continues to shine and is already a short-priced favourite for this year's Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival.

Does not seem to mind what ground he runs on so he will be near on impossible to beat if he carries on with what he has been doing in his last few starts, especially over hurdles.

Could be a matter of how far he wins by here because he is a very impressive individual.

Gaelic Warrior has been one of the talking points heading into this weekend's action because nobody knows where his trainer Willie Mullins will send him for this year's Cheltenham Festival.

This fascinating and clearly talented young horse almost landed an almighty gamble in last season's Fred Winter at Cheltenham, but his jumping let him down and he ended up getting beat on the line by Brazil.

For the majority of that race, he was traveling so comfortably, but his inexperience cost him that day. Since then he has easily landed a Tramore maiden and a Clonmel conditions race on his return to action after what was a 266-day break.

Could easily go and win this carrying top weight.

If the favourite does not convince you then it may be worth siding with his stablemate Tax For Max with Daryl Jacob taking the ride.

He will have a tongue strap on for the first time which could really benefit him this time around. Came on from his third-placed finish on his penultimate run to win last time out over 2 miles at Punchestown.

He beat Falcon Eight by 7 1/2 lengths and should have more to give here stepping up in grade. Has a tendency to pull quite hard, but that could change, giving him more of a chance in this sort of contest as he is looking to make it two wins on the bounce.

Trainer has a 25% strike rate with hurdlers at up to 2m2f.

The concluding event on the card for day two of the Dublin Racing Festival is the National Hunt Flat race and it sees just 8 runners go to post for this one.

Lily Du Berlais won the race last year and we see no reason to believe why she will not run another big race in this year's renewal.

This 7-year-old mare has had a few lengthy breaks in her career so far so that suggests when she is ready to race she is more than good enough to go and win.

Her stable are having a very good spell so another bold bid is expected here.

She can challenge the other two mares who are shorter in the market, Fancy Girl and Fun Fun Fun.