Leopardstown on Saturday: Tips and runners for every race including Irish Gold Cup

Minella Indo prepares for the defence of his Cheltenham Gold Cup crowd on a star-studded card at Leopardstown.

Henry de Bromhead's chaser is among a fine selection of classy thoroughbreds declared for day one of the Dublin Racing Festival.

On Saturday the nine-year-old bids to turn around last year's Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (3.15) with Kemboy and see off British challenger Frodon.

Minella Indo teams up with Robbie Power for the first time in the eight runner field.

Cheltenham Festival favourite Blue Lord is joined by stablemates Haut En Couleurs and Saint Sam. in the Irish Arkle Novice Chase (2.10).

The Gordon Elliott-trained Riviere D'Etel represents the Ferny Hollow form line.

JCB Triumph Hurdle market leader Fil Dor puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle (1.35).

Albert Bartlett fancy Hollow Games takes in the meeting opener (1.05), while Champion Bumper contender Facile Vega steps up to Grade 2 level in the finale (4.25).

1 Bronn

2 Eric Bloodaxe

3 Freedom To Dream

4 Grand Jury

5 Hollow Games

6 Minella Cocooner

7 Minella Crooner

8 Whatdeawant

TIPPING VERDICT: MINELLA CROONER is taken to step up in grade successfully. Runner-up in a good maiden hurdle, splitting the talented pair Journey With Me and Kilcruit, he has had a nice run over three miles since. Jack Kennedy's mount has a decent engine and with more to come, he can hold stablemate Hollow Games. Bronn has to step up on what he has done so far but Grand Jury has the form to play a hand.

1 Ben Siegel

2 Fil Dor

3 Icare Allen

4 Il Etait Temps

5 The Tide Turns

6 Vauban

7 Scenic Look

8 Six Feet Apart

9 Vadaly

TIPPING VERDICT: VAUBAN was well-backed to make a winning hurdling debut at Punchestown. A Listed winner in France, he did