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As we approach one of the best racing events of the season, and as we move ever-closer to Cheltenham and all the glory that can come there, the Dublin Racing Festival is one that always excites race fans. What are the bookmakers thinking as we approach this showpiece event, though?

Irish Gold Cup

At the Irish Gold Cup, the bookmakers seem to have a pretty strong focus on Galopin Des Champs. Odds from Ladbrokes have Galopin des Champs at 1s, while Bet365 rates the chance of victory at 1s as well. That’s a pretty strong indicator that GdC is the favourite, yet again – and it’s easy to see why. As the reigning champion for last year, GdC feels a fair bit away from the chasing pack. The bookies likely see a continuation, too, as there has been precious little sign of form drop-off. A range of high-profile wins in Grade 1 events makes it easy to see why the bookies would keep GdC as favourite.

The bookmakers seem to see GdC as the by far and away favourite option, with Affordable Fury (11/2 @ Bet365, 6s @ Ladbrokes) as the next option. Haiti Couleurs (8s at both) and Fact To File (8s @ Bet365, 5s @ Ladbrokes) are the other options that have a decent chance of placing high. Inothewayurthinkin (6s @ Bet365, 7s @ Ladbrokes) and Spindleberry (8s @ Bet365, 10s @ Ladbrokes), as well as I am Maximus (12s @ Bet365, 14s @ Ladbrokes), have all had decent runs in the recent past, too, though, so don’t count them out.

Really, the chasing pack feel like they are all battling for the second spot, with GdC the clear favourite. In an event like the Gold Cup, though, where things can change so rapidly in just a few fences, it’s the minor tactical details that can really swing matters in favour of one of the others.

Irish Champion Hurdle

When we look at the Irish Champion Hurdle, it’s hard to look beyond Lossiemouth. As a nine-time victor in Grade 1 events, she’s got the consistency and has been a winner in five events on the spin at this level, which helps to explain why the bookies are offering odds of 11/10 at Bet365 and Ladbrokes.

If you were looking for a genuine rival in this one, Brighterdaysahead is the aptly named option. While unlikely to take the top spot in this race, this is another horse with a track record of winning that has emerged from the Gordon Elliott stable – while yet to live up to the Cheltenham-winning potential that was bestowed in the past, Brighterdaysahead (6/4 @ Bet365, 11/8 @ Ladbrokes) has a decent shot at placing high at the Hurdle.

If you are looking for someone else to back, Anzadam (8s @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes) and El Fabiolo (8s @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes) have decent odds as well. If you fancy putting your money behind a horse with a slightly larger price but still a decent shot, Ballyburn (12s @ Bet365, 16s @ Ladbrokes) is a good place to start. Overcoming Lossiemouth, though, feels a tall order.