Last Updated on 25/01/2026 by Andy Clark
Day 1 of the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown offers a thrilling mix of Grade 1 action, competitive handicaps and exciting novice contests. Our expert tipster has written a preview and betting tip for each of Saturday’s races.
Our Dublin Racing Festival tips are compiled with an eye on form, trainer patterns, horse fitness and recent Leopardstown trends. From our Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Novice Hurdle tip through to the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup tip, we’ll take you through every race on Day 1 with smart DRF day 1 tips and clear reasons for backing them. Along the way, we also highlight key trends that might help you spot value bets — for example, winners in certain handicap chases have tended to fit specific age and form profiles in recent years.
Whether you’re placing straight win bets, each‑way wagers or building accumulators, our preview will help you navigate the card with confidence and make the most of your betting experience at one of Ireland’s premier National Hunt meetings. You should also check out the latest Dublin Racing Festival free bet offers for 2026, where there is over £400 available when you open a new betting account.
Before we get into the best bets, one of the best Dublin Racing Festival free bets for 2026 is the SBK sign-up offer, which gets you £40 in free bets when you sign up and place a £10 bet on today’s DRF racing.
Dublin Racing Festival Saturday Tips
1.15pm Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle Tip
1.50pm Gannon’s City Recovery and Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle Tip
1.50pm Gannon’s City Recovery and Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle Tip
3.30pm Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Tip
4.05pm Barberstown Castle Handicap Steeplechase Tip
4.35pm DRF INH Flat Race Tip
Dublin Racing Festival Free Bets 2026
Before you dive into your Day 1 selections, don’t forget to take advantage of some of the best DRF new customer betting offers around — these can give you extra value and more chances to back your favourites at Leopardstown.
Here are four top bookmaker offers to consider:
🏇 bet365
- New customers bet £10 and get £30 in free bets — great for spreading across several races on Day 1.
💷 Betfred
- Betfred’s welcome deal is bet £10, get £50 in free bets — perfect for using on key Grade 1 contests and handicaps.
🔥 SBK
- SBK offer straightforward value for newcomers — bet £10 and receive £40 in free bets to use later in the card, which works especially well with short‑priced selections or accumulators.
🎯 William Hill
- William Hill’s new customer bonus includes bet £10, get £40 in free bets — excellent for backing your top DRF Day 1 picks with bonus funds.
👉 Claim your free bets before the first race and use them to enhance your returns on Day 1’s feature events. Visit the offers section in each bookmaker app or website, sign up, and place a qualifying bet to unlock your bonus — then return here to place your selections with greater value and flexibility.
