Willie Mullins secures Leopardstown Grade 1 double with Doctor Steinberg, Narciso Has

Willie Mullins delivered an early statement for the spring festivals by landing two Grade 1s at Leopardstown as Doctor Steinberg and Narciso Has produced commanding victories on the Dublin Racing Festival card. Paul Townend and Mark Walsh supplied the finishing polish as Mullins’ string continued to convert high-end pedigrees and summer sale purchases into winter festival contenders.

Doctor Steinberg carved out a comprehensive success in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, galloping home eight lengths clear under Paul Townend. The Doctor Dino-sired gelding adds to a rapid résumé that includes an 11-length Ballinrobe bumper win and a Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle in December. Mullins praised the performance, saying, “It was very impressive on that ground, it’s very tough,” and noting the gelding’s stamina inheritance: “He’s out of a Cyborg mare and that’s all stamina.” Bred by Walter Connors and bought for €95,000 from Sluggara Farm at the 2023 Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale for Harold Kirk and Mullins, Doctor Steinberg has rocketed up Cheltenham markets, being shortened to 2-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle with Paddy Power. Mullins added, “He does everything right,” and highlighted the gelding’s ability to finish strongly over two miles six on testing ground.

Narciso Has secured the Grade 1 Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle for owner JP McManus, making all the running under Mark Walsh to score by four and a half lengths from stablemate Selma De Vary. The four-year-old was the even-money favourite and dictated terms from the front, increasing his advantage to about three lengths at the last before finishing clear. Mullins reflected on the front-running success: “It was a very nice performance, he did it the hard way from the front,” and praised the colt’s physical profile and temperament: “He’s mature as well and, looking at him, I think he’s going to make into a nice chaser. He’s a fine, big specimen of a horse.” Mullins also pointed to the colt’s progression from being green early in his career: “I liked him from the first day that he came in. He was very green the first day that he ran, but he’s learning all the time.”

Narciso Has arrives with a continental back story. Bred by Hamel Stud, he had won the Prix Wild Monarch at Auteuil in France last spring for Marcel Rolland before being offered but not sold at Arqana’s 2024 Summer Sale, later entering JP McManus hands. He had been beaten by Mange Tout at Fairyhouse in November but responded with an 11-length Grade 2 success at Leopardstown over Christmas. Connections and bookmakers reacted swiftly: Betfred installed Narciso Has as 7-4 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham while Selma De Vary was cut to 7-1.

Beyond the two winners, the day underlined broader industry currents. Doctor Dino’s reputation as a National Hunt sire is accelerating, with his progeny now contributing at the highest level and enhancing bloodstock values. Mullins’ ability to identify and develop juveniles from French sales and domestic consignments continues to reshape market demand and gambling markets ahead of March’s big festivals. The Card also reinforced the prominence of JP McManus-backed prospects and the pairing of Mark Walsh and Paul Townend with top juveniles and novices.

With Doctor Steinberg now on Albert Bartlett lists and Narciso Has installed among Triumph favourites, focus shifts to Cheltenham where market moves and training plans will follow. For punters, breeders and racegoers, Mullins’ Leopardstown double offers both a roadmap to festival targets and a reminder of how breeding, buying and astute placement still determine success in elite National Hunt racing.