February 02 / 14.10 Leopardstown

14.10

Yielding

Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £73140.5
  • 2m 1f 0y
  • 8 runners
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Ladbrokes Dublin Chase (Grade 1)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 113241 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Front-runner produced a career-best when beating four of these in a C&D Grade 1 at Christmas, clear from halfway and seeing it out well; probably got the run of the race then and won't be given such leeway here and softer ground probably not ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Solness

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Smart front-runner whose Grade 1 form features three wins at Leopardstown (2m1f) in 2024/2025 and neck second, showing career-best form, at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on latest start; one of the main contenders back down in distance.

7/2

2nd

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Solness

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Tailed off at Leopardstown in February when the soft ground was against him and a visor replaced his usual cheekpieces, which return today; prior to that he posted a third Grade 1 win at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding) in December; there's a question mark regarding the step back up in trip for this front-runner but his trainer won this twice in a row with Fakir d'Oudairies in 2021 and 2022, and this 8yo arrives fresh after just two starts this winter; chance.

9/1

5th

6

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Solness

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Made huge progress last season, emerging from handicaps to win two Grade 1s over C&D including this race, beating Marine Nationale; wasn't as good at Cheltenham and Punchestown after but returned to again get the better of his old rival back over C&D last time; is at his best around this track, but the testing ground isn't in his favour; visor replaces cheekpieces.

3/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: /15-23 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Top-class novice hurdler made an impressive C&D chasing debut over a year ago but has met with defeat in all three outings since, latest when only denied of second late on by Gaelic Warrior in C&D Grade 1 won by Solness at Christmas; the least experienced of these and probably open to the greater improvement but that's certainly needed to play a leading role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 98y

18:05 Punchestown

Marine Nationale

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

The 2025 Champion Chaser arrives here a fresher horse than most after missing Cheltenham with a sore neck; returned to action at Leopardstown in December with a pleasing effort behind Solness after making an early mistake; no match for Majborough at the DRF on testing ground but he's a much better horse on a sounder surface; won this in fine style last year and could repeat the dose.

2/1

2nd

4

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Marine Nationale

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Top-class novice hurdler had an interrupted novice chase season but came good last term, finishing runner-up to Solness in this race before winning the Champion Chase at Cheltenham; he then followed up at Punchestown in style; did well to recover from an error on comeback over C&D last time, just losing out to Solness again; this testing ground is a question, but is the one to beat if handling it.

15/8

1st

4

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 98y

18:00 Punchestown

Marine Nationale

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

towards rear but in touch with leaders, smooth headway 3 out, soon niggled along, challenging after 2 out, led going best approaching last, shaken up and went clear run-in, comfortably

5/4

OUR TIP

8/11

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1U12-2 C BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 165

Form & Verdict
Last season's leading novice when winning Arkle although beaten by a stablemate at Punchestown final start; again met with defeat on seasonal return when no match for the front-running Solness over C&D at Christmas though did stay on well to deny Marine Nationale of second; tongue-tie now added to hood and more expected of back on softer ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

18:05 Punchestown

Gaelic Warrior

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Confirmed his staying power with Bowl win at Aintree last year; got his campaign off to a fine start with John Durkan victory from Fact To File over 2m4f here; third in a blanket finish in the King George before 5l second to a restored Fact To File at Leopardstown; travelled powerfully for stunningly impressive Gold Cup triumph to leap-frog Fact To File in the ratings.

11/10

1st

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Gaelic Warrior

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Won the Arkle here (2m, soft) in March 2024 and relished the step up to 3m1f in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (good to soft) last April; that win has been the catalyst for a string of excellent efforts, including his third in a blanket finish in the King George (3m, good to soft) in December and his 5l second in the Irish Gold Cup (3m, soft) last month; can be difficult to settle which is something of a concern in view of today's stiff stamina test, but on the flip side he's been finishing his races strongly; respected.

4/1

2nd

5

2nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 100y

15:30 Leopardstown

Gaelic Warrior

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2024; kept at shorter distances until impressive in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last April; ended the campaign with a fine Sandown win and began again in style, edging out Fact To File in the John Durkan; third in a thrilling King George; will need to settle better to maximise his chance at this track.

5/1

Form: 185-12 C

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Former Triumph Hurdle winner made a bright start to his 2024-25 campaign with decisive front-running success over Marine Nationale in Grade 3 at Naas in November; similar tactics employed when second to ready winner Jonbon in Tingle Creek at Sandown following month and Rachael Blackmore prefers him to the more highly-rated Captain Guinness.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Quilixios

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Landed the Triumph at this meeting in 2021 and was in the process of producing a career-best performance, albeit seeming likely to come off second best in the argument, when final-fence faller in this contest 12 months ago (good to soft); absent since but has a good reappearance record, allied with his proven ability to act very well at the Cheltenham Festival; another big run may be on the cards.

9/1

7

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Quilixios

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Landed the Triumph Hurdle here in 2021; still seeking a first Grade 1 success over fences and form dipped in the Dublin Chase most recently, failing by a long way to confirm Naas November placings with Marine Nationale; ran well but was no match for Jonbon in the Tingle Creek in between; not the percentage call.

25/1

4th

6

2nd Feb 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Quilixios

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

Former Triumph Hurdle winner made a bright start to his 2024-25 campaign with decisive front-running success over Marine Nationale in Grade 3 at Naas in November; similar tactics employed when second to ready winner Jonbon in Tingle Creek at Sandown following month and Rachael Blackmore prefers him to the more highly-rated Captain Guinness.

14/1

Form: 2U-357 CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Career highlight when winning this race in 2023 (yielding); hasn't won again in eight starts since, including Champion Chase second to Captain Guinness; two runs this term leave him with lots to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Gentleman De Mee

11st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Tends to come good when faced with drier ground and was an excellent fourth in the Topham at Aintree, a race he won the previous year; joint top-rated here and clearly a strong candidate.

7/4

4th

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Gentleman De Mee

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

10yo who hasn't been at his best this season but it was the same story last term prior to him winning this race (good to soft); he's just 3lb higher than 12 months ago and is capable of playing another leading role.

15/2

3rd

3

18th Jan 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 66y

15:20 Thurles

Gentleman De Mee

11st 3lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: W P Mullins

A dual Grade 1 winner over 2m earlier in his career; put up a fine weight-carrying performance to win the Topham Trophy (2m5f) at Aintree last April, and not far off Appreciate It when fourth in the Oaksey Chase; beaten a long way at Clonmel on return and fared no better at Tramore; may show a revival.

7/2

Form: 312-P5

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 162

Form & Verdict
Last season's Champion Chase winner at Cheltenham subsequently beaten a neck in Irish Champion Chase at Punchestown; two runs this term a long way below that level however, reported clinically abnormal at Navan and didn't appear to get involved (fog) in Grade 1 here at Christmas won by Solness; plenty to prove and Rachael Blackmore prefers Quilixios.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Captain Guinness

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Henry De Bromhead

Has a good record (213) in the Champion Chase but is by no means certain to sustain it; proved a somewhat fortuitous winner of a weak edition two years ago (on soft ground) when the race fell apart and only three runners completed; far from solid on his form this term, below par in Grade 3 most recently, and returns to Cheltenham as an 11yo who may be on the wane; wears first-time headgear.

50/1

3rd

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

16:30 Naas

Captain Guinness

11st 1lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Six-time chase winner, the highlight being the 2024 Champion Chase (2m, soft); not at his best last season but signed off with a solid runner-up finish behind Marine Nationale at Punchestown (2m, yielding); pulled up on seasonal return in the Fortria at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) and tailed off at Leopardstown last time (2m1f, yielding); should be a player here but he's a risky proposition given his form although trainer reported him to be 'really coming to himself' in a recent stable tour.

13/8

2nd

1

29th Apr 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 98y

18:00 Punchestown

Captain Guinness

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Henry De Bromhead

raced in second, challenging 2 out, no chance with winner from last, kept on

20/1

Form: /11P2- CD BF

Last run: 281 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 174

Form & Verdict
Unbeaten in first six attempts chasing, notably this race last year (five runners); pulled up after bad early error in Champion Chase subsequently and again mistakes when proving no match for Jonbon in Celebration Chase at Sandown; belated seasonal return and this looks a stronger race than last year but big shout if near his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

El Fabiolo

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Probably acts on any going; high class over fences until jumping issues developed; has proved suited by the return to hurdles and an easy win at Leopardstown (2m2f) last time took his record in this sphere to 4-7; the best horse in this field if viewed on his peak chase form.

5/1

1st

2

2nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 2f 72y

15:25 Leopardstown

El Fabiolo

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Outstanding 2m novice chaser at his peak; became plagued by jumping frailties; fell in a number of Grade 1 contests; reverted to hurdles with a smooth 8.5l success at Punchestown on New Year's Day on seasonal return (2m3f, yielding), second won Gr.3 next time; this is much easier than the Irish Champion Hurdle (2m, heavy) last time, in which he finished last of five; huge chance.

10/11

5th

3

1st Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

El Fabiolo

11st 12lb

J: J J Slevin

T: W P Mullins

An outstanding 2m novice chaser at his peak; became plagued by jumping frailties; fell last season in Grade 1 races here, at Aintree and at Punchestown; return to hurdling did the trick at Punchestown a month ago, beating subsequent Grade 3 hurdle winner Glen Kiln and Cotswold Chase winner Spillane's Tower.

10/1

Form: 4PU4U3 D

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Strike rate of 1-11 over fences although comes here on the back of a career-best third in Grade 2 Fortria at Navan in November; admirable 8yo but out of his depth here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

11th May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 100y

18:37 Killarney

Senecia

11st 8lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Vincent Laurence Halley

Very smart chaser when at his best but he was well beaten in this 12 months ago and last season's placed efforts were remote ones behind class acts; current wellbeing is a bit of an issue.

12/1

5

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 0y

14:10 Leopardstown

Senecia

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Vincent Laurence Halley

Decent sort has two wins apiece over hurdles and fences, including a Grade 2 at Navan last season, his best performance; however, he is rated a long way below all of these rivals and is an unlikely winner.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €27.60
Straight Forecast €31.80
Tricast €59.65
Trifecta €74.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Gaelic Warrior

RP RATINGS (IRE):

El Fabiolo

POSTDATA:

Gaelic Warrior

The Irish Sun:

Gaelic Warrior

TOPSPEED:

El Fabiolo