Joe’s best horse racing for the Dublin Racing Festival 2026 Day 1 betting tips

Feb 2, 2026 - 09:00

Better late than never! While the weather didn’t play ball on Saturday, the anticipation has only grown. The opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown was rescheduled to today, Monday, February 2nd, after 17mm of overnight rain left the track unraceable.

Despite the disruption, the card remains a powerhouse of jumps racing, featuring elite Grade 1 contests, deep fields, and vital clues for the Cheltenham Festival. With the rescheduled Irish Gold Cup, Irish Arkle, and Nathaniel Lacy Novice Hurdle now taking centre stage on Monday, punters have an extra 48 hours to study the form and find value before the markets settle.

Top Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 offers

Top Dublin Racing Festival Day 2 offers

Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 (Saturday) tips

1.15 Kazansky – 5/1 each way with bet365
1.50 Narciso Has – 21/25 with SBK NAP
2.25 County Final – 5/1 each way with Bet Victor
2.55 Romeo Coolio – 8/15 with Betfred
3.30 Galopin Des Champs – 13/8 with Bet Victor NEXT BEST
4.05 Jacob’s Leader – 27/5 each way with SBK
4.40 It’s Only A Game – 13/8 with bet365

*odds provided are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 on Saturday 31th January

Find my top tips for today’s racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

1.15 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m6f

8 of the last 12 winners were aged 5 or 6
9 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
9 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
11 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 runs that season

Final Demand won this race 12 months ago for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend and he often sends a smart one with the likes of Gaillardia Du Mesnil, Minella Cocooner and Dancing City winning this in recent years. He has Doctor Steinberg this time around and he may well prove up to the task but I can’t help but feel he is plenty short enough. KAZANSKY has a lot of potential for Gordon Elliott and he backed up that Cork win edging out another progressive type in County Final to win at Limerick last month. He has more to come and looks a dour stayer so I expect him to relish this test.

Not just a two-horse race as Santo Sospir has won his last two starts and was miles the best winning by 9 lengths at Clonmel last time. He is a stablemate to the selection and Sean Bowen takes the ride. Love Me Tender needs to improve on that third at this track last month but it is early days and he could have lots more to come now.

Bet on KAZANSKY each way at 5/1 with bet365

1.50 Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

9 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
6 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Leopardstown
7 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 previous runs over hurdles

For much of that race at Fairyhouse I thought NARCISO HAS was going to beat Mange Tout. I just think inexperience caught him out in the end and it wasn’t the best ride by Mark Walsh.

He did put things right at this track last month though winning by 11 lengths under Danny Mullins. He is clearly a horse with huge potential and I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t reverse form with Mange Tout and come out on top here.

Mange Tout is likeable and is yet to taste defeat. She hasn’t run since Fairyhouse though so does lack some fitness and on this ground that could prove the difference.

I expect the pair to fight it out and I can’t see anything else getting involved. Selma De Vary impressed winning in France and obviously has plenty of upside but this looks a tough ask.

Bet on NARCISO HAS to win at 21/25 with SBK

2.25 Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 3m

9 of the last 11 winners were aged between 6 and 8
6 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
6 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 11 winners were rated 125 or higher

I’m really hoping Kazansky wins the opener as if he does then COUNTY FINAL will be a warm order for this. He looked a bit unlucky not to beat that horse when denied a head at Limerick last month.

His form is progressive and with more to come over 3 miles and the heavy ground no problem I expect him to run a massive race for JP McManus.

Obviously tons of dangers in a race like this but Dippedinmoonlight ran well when runner-up at Fairyhouse and if building on that again could threaten.

Duke Silver impressed winning here last month and has won 2 of his last 3 so is another one I expect to get seriously competitive but this is wide open.

Bet on COUNTY FINAL each way at with BetVictor

2.55 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m1f

10 of the last 12 winners were aged 6 or 7
7 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
10 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
7 of the last 12 winners were rated 145 or higher

It is such a shame we won’t see Kopek Des Bordes here. I was really looking forward to the clash with ROMEO COOLIO and I was actually going to side with the latter anyway as I have been so impressed with him since going over fences.

He is a perfect 3-3 and despite probably being better over 2 and a half with the ground as testing as it is he will have no problems over this trip. He just looks a cut above his two rivals and I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t come out on top as I had him winning this even with Kopek Des Bordes in there.

Kargese remains quite a tricky individual but she did put it together to win impressively here last month. She likes this track as well but even so has plenty to find to turn over this hotpot.

Downmexicoway also arrives in winning form but again looks up against it given the opposition.

Bet on ROMEO COOLIO to win at 8/15 with Betfred

3.30 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1) 2m1f

11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 7 and 9
8 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
6 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
10 of the last 12 winners were rated 157 or higher

Time for the big one now the Irish Gold Cup. I can’t wait to see GALOPIN DES CHAMPS and I’m confident he can gain his revenge on Affordale Fury. He looked like he was coming to win the race here on return last month before a lack of fitness got the better of him.

With that under his belt he should have a great chance to defend his crown and send Leopardstown into mayhem again.

Gaelic Warrior ran a huge race in the King George but I’m not convinced about him at this track so while I respect him I think he might be up against it.

Fact To File should run a lot better than he did at Kempton and it wouldn’t surprise me if he gave the favourite most to think about. At a massive price I Am Maximus ran huge in the Savills Chase and if they go too hard he will be finishing well so could be value to hit the frame.

Bet on GALOPIN DES CHAMPS to win at 13/8 with BetVictor

4.05 Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m1f

9 of the last 12 winners were aged between 6 and 8
5 of the last 12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
3 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 12 winners were rated 120 or higher

Another fiercely competitive race but I’ve been waiting to see JACOB’S LEADER back out and think he could take a lot of beating. He was impressive beating Karoline Banbou at Fairyhouse and backed that up bumping into one at Punchestown last time.

This trip will suit him better and back in a handicap there should be more to come.

More Coko found only Western Diego too strong last time and another run like that would see him as one of the dangers. Ballysax Hank wasn’t disgraced last time and back in trip will find this easier and could get involved.

Jasko Des Dames is another one I can see getting involved as he was consistent when last seen.

Bet on JACOB’S LEADER each way at 27/5 with SBK

4.40 Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m

8 of the last 8 winners were aged 5 or 6
5 of the last 8 winners were favourites
8 of the last 8 winners won on their last run before
5 of the last 8 winners had at least 2 previous NH Flat runs

I rarely ever have a bet in bumpers and that is very much the case again here despite this being a Grade 2. IT’S ONLY A GAME looks likely to go off favourite after winning impressively at Punchestown when last seen.

He stayed on strongly that day so testing conditions looks no problem here and with more to come he could be a nice prospect.

Charismatic Kid also impressed winning by 6 and a half lengths on debut at Navan and could still be anything. If he improves he will make a race of it despite the favourite clearly being fancied.

No each way value with only 7 runners but Rojuco Mac showed a good attitude at Limerick and has a bright enough future as well.

Bet on IT’S ONLY A GAME to win at 13/8 with bet365

My top tip for Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 on Saturday

The DRF always delivers and I have played this treble on Saturday to try and get us off to a flying start! NARCISO HAS looks a great bet to back up that C&D win last month as he looks an exciting prospect.

ROMEO COOLIO has a much easier task with Kopek Des Bordes now out and should justify cramped odds in the Irish Arkle.

Finally GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can defend his crown in the Irish Gold Cup and spark great scenes at Leopardstown.

Bet a Win Treble on NARCISO HAS, ROMEO COOLIO and GALOPIN DES CHAMPS at 6/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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