Sunday Irish Preview: Irish Gold Cup Day

There's a wonderful day of racing at Leopardstown on Sunday, with four Grade 1 races on the card. The Spring Juvenile and Deloitte Novices' Hurdle will provide pointers for the Cheltenham Festival, as will the Flogas Novices' Chase, while the Irish Gold Cup is both the feature race on the day and also an excellent trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in five weeks' time.

Carlingford Lough stayed on best to beat Road To Riches and land back-to-back wins in the Irish Gold Cup 12 months ago, though both might have had to settle for a place had Valseur Lido not unseated Ruby Walsh at the last. A recent spin over hurdles should have put Carlingford Lough spot on for this hat-trick bid and he is fancied to repel all challengers once more. Fellow J.P.McManus-owned Minella Rocco is an interesting contender, having been off since taking a heavy fall at Aintree in December. He has been a mover for the Cheltenham Gold Cup recently and a big run is expected here. Don Poli, who bounced back to form when second to stablemate Outlander in the Lexus Chase, and Sizing John, who has stamina to prove as he steps up to three miles for the first time, look the pick of the remainder.

Only Unaccompanied (2011) and Petite Parisienne (2015) have struck for the females in recent years, however Meri Devie has a good chance of adding another win in the Spring Hurdle. The French Flat winner was strong in the betting when beating Houseofparliament over C&D in December and she is destined for big things in the juvenile department judged on that flawless display (ran to a big figure straight away). Stablemate Bapaume improved again when beating Landofhopeandglory in a Grade 2 over C&D, while Dinaria des Obeaux looked one of the best seen in this division this season when routing her rivals at Cork in December; she's well worth her place in this Grade 1.

Willie Mullins has farmed the Deloitte in recent seasons and he can add another success with Bacardys. After falling on his hurdling debut at Cork, Bacardys made amends when winning here last time (still room for improvement in his jumping); he can improve as his stamina is drawn out. Stablemate Bunk Off Early was fairly useful on the Flat for Andrew Oliver and looks an exciting recruit to hurdling, having made a successful debut over timber in taking fashion over 2m here in December, while fellow Closutton resident Saturnas was second to Airlie Beach in the Grade 1 Royal Bond in December before landing a race at the same level over 2m here last time. Barra looks the pick of the Gordon Elliott-trained runners.

Bellshill followed up his Gowran chasing debut success with a Grade 2 win at Limerick in December and it's already hard to dispute his credentials as a potential Grade 1 winner over fences. He can live up to that billing with victory in the Flogas, before heading to Cheltenham. Stablemate Bleu Et Rouge only got as far as the second last time, but this trip looks ideal considering the way he stayed on when winning on his chasing debut over 19f here in December. He won the Deloitte on this card 12 months ago. Our Duke showed plenty of resolution to fend off Coney Island in the Topaz (3m) here last time, while Balko des Flos should be more suited by this trip, having failed to stay at Naas last month. Disko and A Toi Phil give Gigginstown a strong team of entries.