Dublin Racing Festival 2024: Mullins Set for Stellar Weekend

The Dublin Racing Festival has become an important step along the road to the Cheltenham Festival since it was first staged at Leopardstown in 2018. 
 
The two-day meeting has been dominated by top Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who uses it to test the credentials of his main Cheltenham contenders. 
 
With that in mind, we look at some of Mullins’ main fancies for the big races this weekend, starting with a horse who is aiming to strengthen his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims. 

Galopin Des Champs will face just three rivals in his bid to secure back-to-back victories in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on Saturday. 
 
The 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner romped home in the Savills Chase over the festive period and will be tough to beat if he produces the same performance level. 
 
Mullins’ talented stayer is a best-priced 1/2 on horse racing betting sites and he looks a banker bet to win this race on the way to retaining the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

Storm Heart surged towards the head of the Triumph Hurdle betting after recording a wide margin victory at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. 

He is the 11/8 favourite on betting apps for the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, but faces several unexposed stablemates who could upset the odds. 
 
Only one of the last four favourites has won this race – a statistic which suggests it would be wise to avoid lumping too heavily on Storm Heart this weekend. 

Ballyburn was touted as one of Mullins’ leading novices this season before suffering a shock defeat on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse in December. 
 
He bounced back in style on his next outing, recording a stunning victory at Leopardstown over the festive period in the manner of an exceptional horse. 
 
Ballyburn can be backed at odds of 10/11 on new betting sites to win the Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle on Sunday and it would be a major shock if he fails to deliver.