Dublin Racing Festival Day One (Pictures and Results)

By Jon Vine

04 Feb 2023

Jon Vine 04 Feb 2023

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A gallery of photos and results from Leopardstown racecourse on Saturday 4th February
Galopin Des Champs won the Irish Gold Cup
Good Land, Gala Marceau and El Fabiolo also claimed ITV victories

Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. (Getty)

The Dublin Racing Festival got off to a fantastic start on Saturday, with four Grade One races opening the card. Galopin Des Champs carried an odds-on price into the Irish Gold Cup and, while his jumping wasn't foot-perfect, the favourite kicked on after the last to claim an impressive victory.

Galopin Des Champs was already the 6/4 favourite for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup prior to that victory. BetUK clipped the favourite into 5/4 on the back of that victory, but most firms remained unmoved.

Barry Connell's Good Land kicked clear on the run to the line to win the opening Nathaniel Lacy Novices' Hurdle. After favourite Lossiemouth was badly hampered at a crucial stage, Gala Marceau claimed a shock victory in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Willie Mullins then celebrated another Grade One victory on the day, as El Fabiolo comfortably saw off Appreciate It, Banbridge and Dysart Dynamo to win the Irish Arkle in really impressive fashion.

BetUK cut El Fabiolo into 9/4 to win the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. Good Land had his odds slashed for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, while Gala Marceau was cut into 4/1 for the Triumph Hurdle, as Lossiemouth drifted slightly on the back of that defeat.

The in-form Gavin Cromwell then saddled a 27/1 handicap double at Leopardstown. Mark Walsh rode Perceval Legallois to victory in the three mile handicap hurdle, before Final Orders claimed his fifth win on the bounce in the Sandyford Handicap Chase. Day one of the Dublin Racing Festival then ended with a Grade Two bumper, where John Kiely's star A Dream To Share returned an SP of 12/1.

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Bookmakers at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: A large crowd watch the parade ring at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: A large crowd watch the parade ring at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Michael O
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Danny Mullins riding Gala Marceau clear the last to win The Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle from Lossiemouth at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Danny Mullins riding Gala Marceau clear the last to win The Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle from Lossiemouth at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Danny Mullins riding Gala Marceau clear the last to win The Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle from Lossiemouth at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Daryl Jacob riding El Fabiolo clear the last to win The Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Willie Mullins (R) with Paul Townend after Galopin Des Champs wins The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Willie Mullins (R) with Paul Townend after Galopin Des Champs wins The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Delight and despair at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Reading the form at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Socialising at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Paul Townend riding Galopin Des Champs (R) clear the last to win The Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Racegoers take cover in the grandstands as rain falls at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: Bookmakers at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: A large crowd watch the parade ring at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 04: A large crowd watch the parade ring at Leopardstown Racecourse on February 04, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

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