NICKY HENDERSON jokes they should call it 'the Willie Mullins Festival'. But Templegate is backing one trainer in particular to serve it up to the big man on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival. The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure (UK only). Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get...

Become a member today for just £1*. *For the first month then £3 per month thereafter. SIGN UP NOW. 18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. UK only. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk. The star-studded two-day meeting is the last one before Cheltenham - and offers a load of Festival clues. He gives his tip as part of every race verdict below.

DRF Day One tips. Leopardstown. SUPERSUNDAE needed his comeback after eight months off when second behind potential superstar The Yellow Clay at Naas earlier this month. He will enjoy this slightly longer trip and goes on any ground. Willie Mullins has a fine record in this race but doesn’t always win it with the first string. That honour has fallen to Final Demand today after his debut cakewalk at Limerick.

He looked classy there and can take a big step forward, which he’ll need in this stronger company. Pray Tell can outrun his long odds and has place potential. He was an easy Grade 3 winner at Cork in December and deserves a crack at this level. HELLO NEIGHBOUR was thrown into a Grade 2 here for his hurdles debut at Christmas and passed the test with flying colours. He tanked along over this trip and, although there was only a short-head in it at the line, you felt there was more there.

He should improve for that experience and give in-form Gavin Cromwell another big win. Paul Townend has picked Sainte Lucie of the Mullins team and it’s easy to see why after her 11-length Punchestown victory on New Year’s Eve. This is hotter company but she can leave that form behind and gets weight from the geldings. Lady Vega Allen is the other one in the field with star potential. She came from a way back to force a photo with the tip last time and won’t be far away again.

PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS won the 2023 running of this race the last time he jumped a hurdle. He has since done well over the bigger obstacles including when winning a hot handicap here at Christmas. The Grand National is thought to be the target but he’s handicapped to run a mighty race over these smaller obstacles. JP McManus has another big chance with Meetingofthewaters who had been off for nine months before chasing his ownermate home here last time.

He was third in last year’s Ultima and runs off a mark that’s a staggering 35lb lower back hurdling. Flicker Of Hope looks the pick of those who usually run over timber. He rallied on the line to score at Navan on the back of a Galway victory and should be competitive again. ILE ATLANTIQUE was impressive when seeing off Firefox at Navan last time and looks a fair price to repeat the feat against his stablemate Majborough.

The tip jumped well and has staying power so could serve it up to his rival if Paul Townend wants to. He’s clearly a better chaser than hurdler and there’s more to come. Majborough is one of the talking horses at Closutton and he showed his quality when winning the Triumph Hurdle in a bog last season. His opening chase effort at Fairyhouse was impressive but he did make a couple of little errors. At the prices, I’m happy to go with Ile Atlantique to just edge him out.

It will be a major turn up if any of the others win but you could argue that Firefox found the ground too soft last time and can do better in what should be quicker conditions. GALOPIN DES CHAMPS galloped all over most of these when winning the Savills here at Christmas and can repeat the feat. He looked as good as ever last time, jumping well and pulling away from Fact To File after the last. Willie Mullins’ superstar can complete the hat-trick of wins in this.

Fact To File looks the one to chase his stablemate home again. He’s a genuine Grade 1 performer who has been beaten only by the reigning Gold Cup champion since his chase debut. He looks more of a Ryanair type and is likely to be run out of it in the closing stages again. I’m a big fan of Monty’s Star and think he has solid claims of making the frame at Cheltenham. If that’s the case you would like to see a decent showing from him here and he can reward each-way support.

MY MATE MOZZIE has raced on the Flat and finished third in the Galway Hurdle since his latest chase effort which came when sixth in last year’s Arkle. The likely decent ground will bring out the best in him for in-form Gavin Cromwell. The yard has another big chance with Midnight It Is who gets the benefit of Conor Stone-Walsh taking off his 5lb claim. He was unlucky not to bring up a winning hat-trick when hampered at Fairyhouse but was still a close-up third.