Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 tips as Garry Owen predicts Irish Gold Cup glory for Galopin Des Champs

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (3:30) cannot be opposed in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins’ star only needs to repeat his Savills Chase romp here last month to triumph.

1:20 SUPERSUNDAE

1:50 SAINTE LUCIE

2:25 MEETINGOFTHEWATERS

2:55 MAJBOROUGH

3:30 GALOPIN DES CHAMPS

4:05 AN PEANN DEARG

4:35 GREEN SPLENDOUR

SAINT SEGAL (2:50) can floor his rivals in the bet365 Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh. Jane Williams’ horse looked a smart recruit to fences when easily landing his first two outings. The gelding stayed upwardly mobile when a close second to Malystic at Doncaster in early 2023. However, he was unable to match that level of form thanks to some poor jumping afterwards. The seven-year-old still looked below-par when unplaced on his first three outings this season. He put all that behind him with some bold leaps when easing home from Beau Balko at Newbury. The bold-galloper remains well-treated so he can land this valuable prize with another clear round.

MAITRE EN SCIENCE (1:42) can maintain Harry Derham’s revival in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle. The youngster opened his account for Mickael Seror by decisively defeating Kotkidina at Dieppe. He then took a step-up to Listed level in his stride when outpointing Lafayette at Clairefontaine. There is plenty more to come from this pacey grey who can make a winning start for his new yard.

The trainer can bag a quick double with BALHAMBAR (2:17) in the Scottish County Hurdle. The gelding made rapid headway last term with impressive victories at Ludlow and Bangor. He was only denied a hat-trick by the useful Pickanumber up in class at Huntingdon in April.

He improved again when third to Wreckless Ericon his next run over timber at Cheltenham. He put that run to