Dublin Racing Festival: Monday Leopardstown Horse Racing Tips

See below Andy Newton’s Leopardstown horse racing tips on MONDAY at the Dublin Racing Festival. 

**NOTE** This card was called off on Saturday, but will now be staged on Monday 2nd February.

Andy Newton’s Leopardstown Racing Tips: Monday 2nd February 2026 🏇🇮🇪

This weekend the best of the horse racing action comes from Ireland and the two-day Dublin Racing Festival.

With the the rescheduled Monday (was Saturday) card seeing a bumper seven-race card that will include the Irish Gold Cup – a race Galopin Des Champs has won for the last three years.

GDC is back for more to try and join past hero Florida Pearl as a four-time winner – but he’ll have to overturn the form of his Savills Chase third with the winner Affordable Fury.

While, on the day, we’ve also got the Irish Arkle Novices’ Chase, where racing fans will see a fascinating two-way clash between Romeo Coolio and Kargese.

At this stage, however, it’s not thought the ITV Racing team will also be showing Leopardstown races on Monday.

So, don’t miss Andy Newton’s Monday Leopardstown horse racing tips as he gives you his 1-2-3 best bets and key trends.

Plus each day you can also see Andy’s daily horse racing tips and cheat sheet – including his NAP, NB, Lay Of The Day and hot trainers list.

Let’s get going.

Leopardstown Racing Tips: Monday 2nd February, 2026 🏇: Galopin De Champs To Land Fourth Irish Gold Cup

1:15: Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m6½f RTV

Willie Mullins has a cracking record in this DRF opener – shock – winning the prize four times in the last five years.

And he’s taken to add to here with DOCTOR STEINBERG, who impressed last time at Navan when winning by 4 3/4 lengths.

The form of that run has since been franked with the runner-up Thedeviluno winning last weekend at Doncaster.

So, Doctor looks the right ‘call’ here and then head to the Cheltenham Festival, where he’s 7/1 for the Albert Bartlett.

Or 6/1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

Of the rest, it would be no shock to see LOVE ME TENDER, who is also Mullins, bounce back to winning ways over this longer trip.

He was third (would have been 4th) in the Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle (Talk The Talk would have won) but was running on well.

Two-time Cork winner Tackletommywoowoo hasn’t been since winning those races in October and November.

However, the form looks okay, with the runner-up Good Girl Kathleen winning since.

While the Gordon Elliott pair Santo Sospir and Kazansky, who are both on three-timers, are noted too.

🥇DOCTOR STEINBERG
🥈LOVE ME TENDER
🥉KAZANSKY

KEY STATS 📈

1:50: Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo) 2m RTV

Another race that is going to be dominated by Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott – well, actually probably only Willie Mullins.

Yes, Elliott’s Mange Tout is certainly no back number as this unbeaten filly beat Narciso Has last time by 2 3/4 lengths at Fairyhouse.

She’s also 4lbs better off this time, so it’s hard to say Mange Tout can’t be fancied here.

However, NARCISO HAS has since impressed to win the G2 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and is the call to reverse the form.

Why?

Well, firstly the Mullins yard seem in better form than Elliotts at the moment.

And secondly when Mange Tout beat Narciso Has she’d had the benefit of a recent run.

Plus, we know the track is fine, whereas Mange Tout is yet to run here.

I’ll take Narciso Has to land this and head to the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, where he’s around 7/2.

The last horse to win both races was Vauban in 2022, while 2024 winner Kargese went onto be runner-up in the Triumph.

🥇NARCISO HAS
🥈MANGE TOUT
🥉BERTUTEA

KEY STATS 📈

2:25: Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (4yo+ 0-150) 3m½f RTV

A very tough handicap hurdle here – so good luck folks.

Unsurprisingly, we’ve only had one winning favourite in the last ten runnings. This year’s jolly could be Country Final.

While unless he wins one of the first two races – Maxxum, who won this in 2024, was Gordon Elliott’s last DRF winner.

JP McManus has owned two of the last three winners too and he’s got County Final and Son Of Anarchy.

While CD winner Duke Silver for Joseph O’Brien has only 10st-6lbs and did better when held up the last day here.

Gigginstown Look To Have Decent Hand

But, despite their stable form being a bit quiet in the last few weeks – a chance is taken on the Gordon Elliott runner HE CAN’T DANCE.

This lightly-raced grey has only been over hurdles four times, and even though he’s not won yet – had finished in the top three each time.

He stayed on well over 2m6f at Navan (3rd) last time to suggest the longer trip is a plus.

Oh, and don’t forget he was only beaten 8 1/4 lengths in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last March.

And was third in the NH Flat race at this meeting last season.

Has also won on heavy ground and gets in here with just 10-4 won’t have any weight.

He Can’t Dance can put his two left feet forward.

While another Elliott Gigginstown runner WENDROCK stands out too.

He’s up to 3m here for the first time but ran on well last time to suggest it’s well worth a crack.

That last run was a 5th to another runner here Champagne Kid and is now 7lbs better off for around 6 3/4 lengths.

Wendrock looks solid too.

Maybe we’ll see a Gigginstown 1-2 fly home for Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.

🥇WENDROCK
🥈HE CAN’T DANCE
🥉DUKE SILVER 

KEY STATS 📈

2:55: Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 2m1f RTV

Yet another race the Willie Mullins camp have farmed in recent years. Winning the last five, including last year with Majborough.

While you might be shocked to hear (or be reminded) that Gordon Elliott is yet to win the Irish Arkle.

Elliott has a top chance of putting that right with Romeo Coolio, who has impressed in his three wins over fences this season.

Plus is sure to benefit from the softer/heavy ground with many feel he should be running over further anyway.

With no Kopek Des Bordes, Romeo Coolio looks sure to take a lot of beating in these conditions.

But there is a niggle around the Gordon Elliott form heading into the DRF could be better.

He did also have to work hard here to win the last day – I’m just not quite sure he’s beaten much yet, despite jumping well.

I’d personally be thinking about the Ryanair Chase, if I were his connections after this. Where he’s 20/1

Coolio will face only two others – Downmexicoway – and KARGESE, who certainly won’t mind the ground either.

She also gets a handy 7lbs mares’ allowance from Coolio and with the pair rated pretty much the same over hurdles, this weight pull could be the difference.

Kargese also has a decent record here at Leopardstown, where she’s 2-1-1 – including winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at this meeting in 2024.

Come the day, they might be a lot closer in the betting.

She looks the value in what looks a match – so let’s take Kargese to be too hot for Coolio.

🥇KARGESE
🥈ROMEO COOLIO 
🥉DOWNMEXCIOWAY

KEY STATS 📈

3:30: Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) 3m½f RTV / ITV

A top renewal of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Monday.

And it’s one of those races that the heart says Galopin and the head says – is he on a downward curve?

Of course, stamina won’t be an issue for him in this ground, but he’s still rated 16lbs off Galopin Des Champs. We’ll know more about his Cheltenham Gold Cup bid after this.

We could also see last season’s Gold Cup winner Inotherwayurthinkin, but you feel he’s being primed for Cheltenham.

The mare Spindleberry is interesting getting 7lbs if coming here.

With connections testing the water to see if she’s up to Gold Cup level (33/1), or go back to the Mares Chase (3/1).

Galopin To Turn Savills Chase Form Around

The Savills Chase winner Affordable Fury, who landed a huge gamble, seems to be the new kid on the block in this division.

But I could be wrong – however, I just think it would be a big ask to back that up

He beat GALOPIN DES CHAMPS by 3 1/4 lengths last time and many will have his back to uphold that form.

However, we know Galopin often needs the run these days so can be expected to have come on loads for that last outing. When only just getting tired in the closing stages.

Affordable Fury had the benefit of a run that last day too. While let’s not forget about the record of Galopin Des Champs here at Leopardstown over fences – where he’s 7-from-8.

Yes, the Irish Gold Cup trends tell us we’ve only seen one winner aged 10+ since 2008. But we are talking about Galopin Des Champs at his favourite track here.

I think he can defy this stats.

Of the rest, don’t rule out Savills Chase runner-up I Am Maximus and the 66/1 second in this race last season Grangeclare West running big races too.

Stamina would be the issue again for Fact To File, with the Ryanair his target in March.

While King George third Gaelic Warrior could be the fly in the ointment for Galopin, but we know he’s spat his dummy out here before.

Plus, has had two hard races this season in the John Durkan and King George.

If Galopin can get the job done, we won’t hear a bigger DRF roar all weekend.

He’d also join Florida Pearl as a four-time winner of the race.

So I’m playing HEART over HEAD here.

🥇GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
🥈GAELIC WARRIOR 
🥉GRANGECLARE WEST 

KEY STATS 📈

4:05: Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (5yo+ 0-150) 2m1f RTV

Western Diego powered home to win the Dan and Joan Moore Memorial Chase at Fairyhouse earlier this month (More Coko 2nd) and has to be shortlisted.

While CD winner Addragoole and the Henry De Bromhead-trained JASKO DES DAMES are noted too – with the last-named getting the nod.

This 7yo was last seen running second at the Cheltenham October Meeting to Calico, when sent off favourite but should be slightly more at home in this softer ground.

He’s also not run since so you feel this would have been the target and is a horse that’s gone well fresh in the past.

I just hope he doesn’t go off favourite as we’ve only seen one winning jolly in this race in the last ten runnings (and that was joint).

Of the rest, at a price it’s probably worth having small interests on last year’s winner AN PEANN DEARG, with the Paul Nolan yard winning three of the last 10 runnings too.

He won this off 122 last season and is now only up to 128.

Plus, Grange Walk was also third last year at 50/1 so could hit the frame at a price again. He was rated 126 in 2025 and is now 13lbs lower at 113.

🥇JASKO DES DAMES
🥈AN PEANN DEARG
🥉GRANGE WALK 

KEY STATS 📈

4:40: DRF Future Stars (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) (4-7yo) 2m RTV

Willie Mullins has won 50% of the last eight runnings, but he’s giving the others a chance here. As he’s not got a runner.

It’s been a good race for the 5  year-olds too, with six of the last eight winning.

So, with that in mind, It’s Only A Game, Charismatic Kid, Broadway Ted and With Nolimit tick this stat.

Of that bunch, both It’s Only A Game and Charismatic Kid stand out. With the slight preference for the former.

Charismatic Kid won well at Navan in December for Colm Ryan but has since been sent to Gordon Elliotts with Gigginstown buying him.

But the third that day Touch The Clouds was well beaten to the promising Love Sign d’ Aunou next time.

IT’S ONLY A GAME was last out winning at Punchestown in November, which came on soft and heavy ground too.

The form of that race looks good too, with the second Boycetown bolting up since at Down Royal on Boxing Day.

He’s been freshened up since – with, you feel, this race in mind.

This Martin Brassil runner is around 16/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Odds that will shorten after this if winning.

Of the rest, Limerick winner Rojuco Mac (Derek O’Connor) and Ayr scorer Broadway Ted are noted.

While Patrick Mullins (4-8 in his race) riding for Gordon Elliott on Generous Risk also stands out.

🥇IT’S ONLY A GAME
🥈CHARISMATIC KID 
🥉BROADWAY TED 

KEY STATS 📈