The likes of Galopin Des Champs, El Fabiolo, State Man and Marine Nationale all remain on course to compete at the Dublin Racing Festival this weekend following Tuesday's forfeit stage.
Galopin Des Champs looks set to take on his two-time conqueror Fastorslow in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday, although the field was reduced from six to five this afternoon after the news Gerri Colombe would head straight to Cheltenham in March. The Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs currently heads the betting at 4/9 with race sponsor Paddy Power following his scintillating performance in the Savills Chase over Christmas.
Fastorslow also holds an entry in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase on Sunday, where it looks likely El Fabiolo, who was due to take on Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot should the meeting have gone ahead two weeks ago, will face stablemate Dinoblue. Six remain in contention at the forfeit stage.
State Man had his stablemate Impaire Et Passe back in second when landing the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown in December and the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle looks set to throw up a rematch between the pair. Impressive Relkeel Hurdle winner Bob Olinger also features among the five entries at this stage.
Last season's fabulous Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Marine Nationale will be looking to make sure it isn't Mullins' domination across the Grade 1's this weekend, as he bids to remain unbeaten over fences in Saturday's Goffs Irish Arkle. However, he could face stiff competition from leading novice chaser Gaelic Warrior, although his target remains uncertain as the Mullins-trained contender was also present in the entries for the following day's Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles and five furlongs. Gaelic Warrior is owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, whose racing manager Joe Chambers commented: "Marine Nationale is a class act, and I don't see why we would want to take him on until we have to."
JP McManus' unbeaten A Dream To Share hurdling campaign has seemingly been put on hold this season but he remains on course to make his first outing for over 280 days in the Donohue Future Stars bumper on Saturday.
