Leopardstown is primed for its premier National Hunt event of the year, the two-day Dublin Racing Festival.

Scheduled for this weekend, the festival will be broadcast live from 1pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on both Saturday and Sunday, boasting an impressive lineup of eight Grade One races.

The first day’s centerpiece is the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, featuring Galopin Des Champs aiming to defend his title against Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow, the horse that outperformed him twice following last year’s Anglo-Irish Gold Cup double.

Another highlight of the opening day is the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase, where Barry Connell’s undefeated Marine Nationale is set to compete, potentially facing off against Willie Mullins’ Gaelic Warrior.

The main attraction on Sunday is the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle. Despite the absence of Constitution Hill, State Man is set to be the frontrunner in the race.

Despite recent damp conditions in Dublin, the forecast predicts sunny and windy days to help dry the course, setting the stage for a pleasant weekend for attendees.

Jane Hedley, Leopardstown’s racing operations manager, noted the significant rainfall over the past week but mentioned the improving conditions, with the ground softening and the expectation of mild weather with sporadic blustery showers.

Since its launch in 2018, the Dublin Racing Festival has seen robust attendance. This year continues the trend with hospitality and premium level tickets already sold out, though general admission tickets remain available both online and at the gate.

Hedley expressed anticipation for a sizeable turnout, highlighting the sell-out of premium offerings and the availability of general admission tickets. She also emphasized the weekend’s racing quality, spotlighting the participation of notable horses like Galopin Des Champs and State Man, and predicting thrilling races across the board, from novice events to strong handicap contests.