January kicked off a fascinating start to 2023 in sport. From Willie Mullins-trained Champ Kiely winning the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) to Kilmacud Crokes becoming All-Ireland Club SFC champions, defeating Derry and Ulster champions Glen in the final.
Though February has plenty in store too with the start of the Six Nations with Ireland favourites at 6/4, beginning their bid to lift their first title since 2018. Dublin Racing Festival also gets underway on the opening weekend of the month at Leopardstown Racecourse while at the same time, the National Hurling League starts.
Without further ado, here is what’s to come in February…
Six Nations starts
Outright favourites Ireland (11/8) lead the way as the front-runners for this year’s Six Nations title ahead of Grand Slam holders France (13/8). Andy Farrell’s men face Wales (12/1) in Cardiff in their opening encounter on Saturday 4th.
Bookmakers predict that the visitors will win their first game before facing Les Bleus at the Aviva on Saturday 11th.
Ireland travel to Rome to take on dark horses Italy on Saturday 25th, with the number one nation in the World Rugby rankings hoping to continue their quest for a fifth Six Nations title and their first since 2018 when they completed the Grand Slam.
Six Nations 2023 – Outright Winner
Ireland – 11/8
France – 13/8
England – 9/2
Wales – 12/1
Scotland – 20/1
Italy – 500/1
Six Nations 2023 – Wales vs Ireland
Wales – 2/1
Ireland – 2/5
Draw – 20/1
Odds via Casinos En Ligne
Dublin Racing Festival
The Dublin Racing Festival gets underway on Saturday 4th with the Irish Gold Cup the headline race on the opening day of the event at Leopardstown.
Galopin Des Champs (1/3) is the clear favourite to win the Irish Gold Cup, who continues preparations for Cheltenham next month as the frontrunner to lift the Gold Cup having won at Punchestown in December by 13 lengths. Stattler (4/1), another horse trained by Willie Mullins, is the bookies’ closest contender while last year’s winner Conflated, trained by Gordon Elliott, has odds at 7/1.
On day two, superstar mare Honeysuckle is second favourite to win the historic Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle for a fourth time, with Willie Mullins-trained State Man the 5/4 favourite.
Other horses featuring this weekend are RIch Ricci-owned Lossiemouth, in the famous colours of Faugheen and Annie Power, is the 1/2 favourite to win the Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Mullins quartet Dysart Dynamo, Saint Roi, El Fabiolo and Appreciate It could face off against one another in the Irish Arkle.
Dublin Racing Festival – Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1)
Galopin Des Champs – 1/3
Stattler – 4/1
Conflated – 7/1
Kemboy – 10/1
Envoi Allen – 11/1
Fury Road – 12/1
Any Second Now – 20/1
Franco De Port – 25/1
The Big Dog – 28/1
Chacun Pour Soi – 33/1
Royal Rendezvous – 40/1
Dublin Racing Festival – Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
State Man – 4/5
Honeysuckle – 7/4
Vauban – 3/1
Sharjah – 14/1
Sir Gerhard – 16/1
Echoes in Rain – 25/1
Pied Piper – 33/1
Zanahiyr – 50/1
Takarengo – 200/1
Odds via Casinos En Ligne
National Hurling League commences
The National Hurling League returns as current holders Waterford host Dublin on Sunday 5th at Walsh Park to continue the defence of their title which they claimed for a fourth time in April.
According to the bookies, Limerick are the clear favourites to win the Division 1 title at 2/1 ahead of Waterford at 11/2. Limerick face Cork away from home that same Sunday in pursuit of a 14th title which would equal Cork’s tally of championship wins.
Other contenders to be crowned champions include Galway and Kilkenny, both at 11/2, with the two sides facing Wexford and Antrim away from home on Saturday 4th.
National Hurling League Division 1 – Outright Winner
Limerick – 2/1
Waterford – 11/2
Galway – 11/2
Kilkenny – 11/2
Cork – 13/2
Tipperary – 7/1
Clare – 9/1
Wexford – 20/1
Dublin – 25/1
Antrim – 100/1
Westmeath – 500/1
Laois – 500/1
Odds via Casinos En Ligne
