Celebrity chefs to cook up a storm at racing festival

CELEBRITY chefs Adrian Martin and Joe Shannon will join a star-studded line-up at the Dublin Racing Festival next weekend.

Some of the top names in Grade 1 horse racing are set to wow the crowds at Leopardstown Racecourse alongside wonderful live entertainment from the likes of Aslan, George Murphy and comedian Danny O'Brien.

Chefs Adrian and Joe will put their own twist on some classic Dublin dishes while Ireland's opening 6 Nations clash with Scotland will be screened live at the festival after Saturday's race card.

Now in its third year, Dublin Racing Festival has established itself as one of the premium horse racing meets during the Irish calendar.

This is augmented with a real festival feel as the large crowds have the opportunity to soak up much of what is great about the capital's music, cuisine, culture and entertainment over the course of Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2. 

Though their fame stretches much further than their hometown, Aslan and George Murphy are two of Dublin's favourite live acts and they bring with them superb stage shows and enviable back catalogues of music.

Danny O'Brien, meanwhile, is host and owner of The Comedy Crunch in Dublin, one of Ireland’s most successful comedy clubs.

Chefs Adrian and Joe are no strangers to the Irish public with numerous TV appearances and events during highly successful careers, and festival goers will be treated to their unique recipes and repartee over the course of an action-packed weekend. 

Again Dublin Racing Festival will be a hub of sport over the two days with 8 Grade 1 races and prize money of over €2million on offer; up from €1.8million in 2019.

Sports fans can complete a wonderful Saturday's entertainment and soak up the atmosphere in the festival marquee when Ireland get their 6 Nations' campaign underway against recent World Cup opponents, Scotland.

Tickets are €30 online in advance and €35 on the day with limited premium level tickets available at €60. Gates open on both days at 10.50am with the first race away at 12.50pm. Check out www.leopardstown.com for further information on Dublin Racing Festival and ticket details.

This, the third running of the festival, has attracted strong entries for all eight Grade 1 races.

The €250,000 Irish Gold Cup is being run under the Paddy Power banner for the first time and an entry of 15 has been made for the most valuable event of the weekend.

Last year’s first and second, Bellshill and Road To Respect are engaged once again for Willie Mullins and Noel Meade respectively.

Mullins could also call upon Kemboy, Ireland’s highest rated chaser, and Cadmium as he bids to win the race for the 11th time.

Gordon Elliott has yet to win the race but would have a lively contender in the shape of Delta Work which landed the Grade 1 Savills Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Elliott has also entered Grade 1 winners Shattered Love and the long-absent Death Duty, and he could also run Alpha Des Obeaux.

Sizing John, the winner in 2017, and Jett have been entered by Jessica Harrington and another double handed is Henry De Bromhead with Chris’s Dream and Balko Des Flos.

La Bague Au Roi was successful in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase at the meeting a year ago and she could yet represent Warren Greatrex.

The highlight on Saturday, February 1 is the Grade 1 PCI Irish Champion Hurdle with the Mullins-trained Sharjah.