Dublin Racing Festival: Quick-fire quiz

How good has Samcro been, and can you see anything stopping him this season?

Hugely impressive, however, it is easy enough to pick holes in his form and hasn’t been in a battle. A lot will depend on what route they decide to take with him, but yes he can be stopped.

Will Faugheen bounce back on Saturday? Is he the right price at around the 6/4 mark?

I think he can, I can’t see them running him unless they were satisfied that he was 100%. If that is the case then 6/4 might look very big come 4 o’clock Saturday afternoon.

Footpad will aim to seal the first part of an Arkle double. Is he the real deal?

Yes!

What a talent - Footpad wins the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase! @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/2BKzo0ch0x

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 26, 2017

Which Yorkhill will we get on Saturday?

By all accounts the vibes are very positive and, based on his reappearance, the engine is still intact. I’m of the opinion that we have yet to see the best of him.

How much of a miss is Ruby Walsh to the occasion as a whole?

Huge, on a number of levels, but Willie Mullins is lucky to have deputies of the calibre of Paul Townend and David Mullins at his disposal.

Which of the Irish Gold Cup runners have the best chance of following up at Cheltenham? Will Our Duke put his last run behind him?

The only member of the field that I could see following up at Cheltenham is Our Duke who had a legitimate excuse for his last run (dirty scope).

Nap of the weekend?

Total Recall is going to take some beating off 125 in the 3m handicap hurdle on Sunday.