Declan Rix and Sam Boswell join presenter Kate Tracey for this weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown.

Of the eight Group One matches scheduled, the trio have a particular interest in the Irish Gold Cup, with Galloping Deshan looking to emulate Florida Pearl in winning four Irish Gold Cups to secure Willie Mullins’ 15th victory in the competition.

His cohort Gaelic Warrior is also on his way to the top of the market with Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File and Afforddale Fury.

Declan Ricks…

“The Galloping Deschamps win in this race last year was ridiculous and the atmosphere at home was as good as I’ve ever heard at a racecourse. He’s in as good a shape as he needed to be last time out – which he has every right to be given he missed the start of the season through injury – but I’d like to take him at a higher price.

“Lakey Watson The price is high for me. He won the Brown Consultant at the Cheltenham Festival last year, a poor renewal, but he has been doing nothing in the straight. No one saw him in John Durkan, and as recently as Christmas he jumped to the end with them. He’s in shape like he needs to race, and like Willie Mullins’ horse, at 50/1 he’s too big to sneak into these places. “

Host Kate Tracy…

“I love the story aspect and if Deschamps can win four Irish Gold Cups then the atmosphere will be unreal and Jerry Hannon could burn. However, he is priced on the short side and I would side with his stable partner west grange clare.

“His record over hurdles at Leopardstown was so good that people seem to forget about him. There are signs that age is catching up with him, but he is much more reliable than a lot of the guys ahead of him on the market. I like him a lot.”

Sam Boswell…

“Now I’m going to side with the under-exposed horse in this lineup, but I love the way they promoted her and were bold. This horse is SpindleberryI’ve talked a lot about him in the mares division this season. The market is not taking any chances with her price. To win at Doncaster, she started from the front and tried to dominate. She didn’t seem to enjoy it, but nonetheless, she won.

“The bosses want to be here and she has nothing to lose on a full extension. We’ll learn a lot and she’ll either be out or win – so hopefully we can get her on the right side.”

Watch the weekend winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel…