Robbie Power highlights some each-way value on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National-winning jockey Robbie Power is among the headline riders in action at Leopardstown on Sunday for the second day of the Dublin Racing Festival. Boylesports ambassador Power, spoke to irishracing.com to offer his insight into his rides, and who he fancies to make a splash in the day’s Grade 1 contests. Power’s own rides start with Say Goodbye in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (12.45). She makes her handicap debut having previously picked up black-type in a Listed contest at Gowran Park in October. Power, who has won this race previously, is confident about her chances for trainer Gordon Elliott. He says: “I think she has a decent chance, she is probably one of the few runners this weekend that wouldn’t want any more rain, her best performances have been on a sound surface. It’s her first run after a little bit of a break. I schooled her in Gordon’s on Friday morning, she feels in really good form and she should be very competitive off ten stone twelve. “I think Party Central of Gordon’s is also well handicapped on 121, that’s very, very interesting. I think Say Goodbye has a decent each-way chance, she has a very high cruising speed so we’ll let her use that.” Say Goodbye is currently a 14-1 shot with Boylesports. There is plenty of value to be found in the Grade B Liffie Handicap Hurdle at 4.10 and Gua Du Large is no stranger to big field handicaps having landed a competitive Grade A handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse back in November. That victory came over today’s distance of two miles on good ground and Power feels he is progressing nicely. He adds: “He has to have a decent chance, he got up late at Fairyhouse and won a hundred grand handicap on that occasion. He hasn’t been heavily penalised for that and he comes in here in good form off ten stone twelve, he’s got a nice racing weight in what is a very competitive handicap with 28 going to post. It’s a race I’m lucky to have won twice in the past. “Ballyadam is a Grade 1 winner back in a handicap with a first-time tongue strap, I think he’s very interesting. I’m hopeful Gua De Large can build on his win from Fairyhouse and be there or thereabouts again. The better ground will suit, he got bogged down on soft ground in the past.” Gua Du Large is currently a 14-1 chance with Boylesports. The Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle and the Ladbrokes Novice Chase headline the card, with Power particularly excited about seeing Galopin Des Champs in action. “From a jockey’s point of view if there’s anything I would like to ride for the whole weekend it would be Galopin Des Champs, I was so taken with his performance at Christmas but he faces a stiff task, he’s won a beginners chase and Beacon Edge, Master McShee and Fury Road are all Grade 1 winners over fences, so it’s got plenty of strength and depth to it. French Dynamite was very impressive at Punchestown and it might be good enough to sneak a place. French Dynamite is currently an 18-1 chance with Boylesports. “I think if Honeysuckle comes here at eighty percent of her best, she is good enough to beat these. “Heaven Help Us will make sure it’s a strongly run race and I fancy Zanahiyr to chase her home, I thought he ran a really good race at Christmas, he is a young horse and he is improving with every run, if there’s anything that’s going to get close to Honeysuckle it will be him.” Grand National winner Minella Times is also in action on Sunday, but Power is drawn towards the prospects of one of the Aintree winner’s rivals in the Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase (2.25). Power says: “Minella Times is at the top of the weights, but I imagine he will find the trip a bit on the sharp side for him. The Shunter is interesting, he was third at this Festival last year and steps up in trip which will definitely suit him. I think his mark over fences is exposed but he could be competitive off it. I still think he has a bit to offer” The Shunter is currently a 9-1 chance with Boylesports. Bet €10 Get €50 + Money Back As A Free Bet On All Losers 2:25 Leopardstown *IRE/NI new customers only. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. Free Bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. Free Bets expire in 7 days. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP address only. Payment method restrictions. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply. **18+. IRE & NI mobile customers & in-shop IRE & NI BoyleXtra cardholders. Max Free Bet refund £/€10 on losing selections. Applies to first bet on race from 3pm Friday 4th February on win single & win part of each way single on the outright market. Applies to selected races as advertised on mobile. Antepost/combined odds/Free/void/cashed out bets won't qualify. Free Bet will expire after 7 days. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org
