LEOPARDSTOWN - DUBLIN RACING FESTIVAL (SUNDAY - DAY 2)

After a scintillating opening day on Saturday the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival has plenty of spectacles to witness. We give our thoughts on all the action this Sunday.

12:40 LEOPARDSTOWN

We kick off day two of the Dublin Racing Festival with a competitive handicap contest where the UK raider Queens Gamble aims to pillage a prize for trainer Harry Derham. She returned from a lengthy stint on the sidelines to go close last time out and should come on for that run but having to carry top-weight is going to make this extra tough and is likely to find a few too good.

Savante was travelling well here at Leopardstown when unfortunately being brought down close home. He can atone for that blunder and give connections something to cheer about here in the opener.

Another horse who could go close at a current double figure price is Joseph O'Brien's Jeaniemacaroney. A consistent type who won well last time out and despite being given a hike in the weights can finish in the mix once again.

SAVANTE (E/W)

JEANIEMACARONEY (E/W)

13:10 LEOPARDSTOWN

Ballyburn went down to superstar Sir Gino last time out which isn't anything to be disappointed about and without such a superstar to go head to head with here his chances are certainly improved however one of his stablemates could ensure Ballyburn finishes second once again.

Impaire Et Passe has barely put a foot wrong in his career to date and took home a Grade 1 chase at Limerick last time out. He looks likely to build upon that effort and his current generous price may be the biggest he'll ever be if he goes on to finish with his head in front this Sunday.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE (WIN)

13:40 LEOPARDSTOWN

As the only unbeaten runner in the field Kopek Des Bordes deserves his spot as the market leader and looks set to continue his winning ways. With a course and distance victory to his name he has conditions to sut and should be hard to beat.

Of the remained the JP McManus owned Kaid d'Authie looks the most likely to give the favourite something to think about.

KOPEK DES BORDES (WIN)

14:10 LEOPARDSTOWN

Gaelic Warrior, Solness and Marine Nationale renew their rivalry after filling the top three in a Grade 1 course and distance race here last time. Based on the current odds many feel Solness isn't likely to reproduce his winning effort and plenty expect Gaelic Warrior to reverse the form. With less miles on the clock it seems as if the Mullins charge is the one to be with but if you're looking for an each way alternative Marine Nationale would be a viable option.

All that being said Gaelic Warrior needs to return to winning ways if he's got aspirations for a Cheltenham Festival win.

GAELIC WARRIOR (WIN)

14:45 LEOPARDSTOWN

The Gordon Elliott trained Mars Harper isn't the most prolific but can produce the odd solid performance and hopefully he can do so again on Sunday. A drop in trip should suit the nine-year-old and if you find a bookmaker offering generous place terms he could sneak into the money at a big price.

MARS HARPER (E/W)

15:20 LEOPARDSTOWN

The Irish Champion Hurdle looks to be a match race between the two most likely horses to finish behind Constitution Hill come March.

Will it be the up and coming youngster in Lossiemouth or the one that's been there and done it before in State Man.

Although both are hugely talented horses the 7lb weight for sex allowance should be enough to see the six-year-old grey mare return to winning ways and perhaps add to the tally for owner Rich Ricci.

LOSSIEMOUTH (WIN)

15:50 LEOPARDSTOWN

With 21 runners set to go to post it's safe to say this looks the most competitive race on Sunday's card and you could make a case for a whole host of the runners.

The first of two we're set to side with is the Willie Mullins trained Stormbreaker. He's been consistent in his for runs for the yard so far and a drop back to two miles should be right up his street.

Former course victor The Enabler is making his handicap debut and hasn't been lumbered with an insurmountable weight. Hailing from the yard of top trainer Gordon Elliott he's got a lively each way chance.

STORMBREAKER (E/W)

THE ENABLER (E/W)

16:25 LEOPARDSTOWN

To bet against a Willie Mullins trained favourite at this meeting could be foolish but that's how we're going to round off the Dublin Racing Festival with Amen Kate. Thomas Cooper's charge has only been seen once on the racecourse but she produced a fantastic performance to dominate her opposition. The form of her race looks super strong with a whole host of her rivals going on to taste success since that performance. Although she has to overcome a 128 day absence further improvement looks likely and if she produces another dominant display she'll be well fancied for the bumper at Cheltenham next month.

AMEN KATE (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock