With four fabulous days of racing featuring six Grade One events, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival promises to be another stellar event this year.
The action kicks off on Friday and culminates on Monday, with a conveyor belt of top-class contests for punters to get stuck into.
Here are our best bets for each day’s major races.
Leopardstown Christmas Festival Guide
FRIDAY
Friday 14:20 Novice Chase
14:20 RACING POST NOVICE CHASE 2m 1f
With Salvator Mundi having disappointed on his debut over fences, ROMEO COOLIO is hard to oppose as he bids to make it three from three in this sphere.
An impressive Grade One scorer over hurdles at last year’s Christmas Festival before going on to be placed at Cheltenham and Aintree , Gordon Elliott ’s imposing individual built on an easy Down Royal success by powering to victory in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse .
SATURDAY
Saturday 13:12 2m 1f Chase
13.12 2m 1f Chase
MAJBOROUGH was all at sea in the jumping department when beaten by Found A Fifty on his seasonal reappearance, just as he had been in the Arkle at Cheltenham , but there is nobody better than Willie Mullins to iron out such problems.
The 2024 Triumph Hurdle hero produced a couple of stunning displays as a novice chaser last term, scoring in fine style at this festival and brushing aside Only By Night by 14 lengths at Punchestown , so we’re keeping the faith, especially as Marine Nationale may need his first run for 242 days.
Saturday 13:47 2m Novice Hurdle
13:47 FUTURE CHAMPIONS NOVICE HURDLE 2m
Elliott is seeking a hat-trick of wins in this contest after striking with Caldwell Potter and Romeo Coolio and SKYLIGHT HUSTLE has the scope to go all the way to the top judged on last month’s wide-margin victory in a 24-runner Fairyhouse maiden.
“I’d say he’s a very smart horse,” declared the Cullentra House handler after that visually eye-catching performance.
SUNDAY
Sunday 13:55 Christmas Hurdle 2m
13:55 CHRISTMAS HURDLE 2m 7f
Ballyburn finished like a train when going down by just a nose in the Hatton’s Grace over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse but we’re far from convinced the extra distance here will help him turn the tables on TEAHUPOO , who was always doing just enough in front.
The winner is just as likely to come on for that seasonal return and certainly wasn’t stopping late on when landing elite-level staying hurdle titles at Cheltenham and Punchestown (twice) over the past couple of seasons.
Sunday 14:30 Savills Chase
14:30 SAVILLS CHASE 3m 100y
Galopin Des Champs will not have the benefit of a warm-up run before bidding for a third straight win in this contest and Mullins has also suggested his campaign is being very much built around the Cheltenham Festival in March, so we’re reluctantly deserting the Leopardstown legend.
That leaves the way open for INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN to confirm the form of his stunning Gold Cup triumph, with Gavin Cromwell ’s stable star expected to strip much fitter than when a distant fifth in the John Durkan .
MONDAY
Monday 14:32 December Hurdle
14:32 DECEMBER HURDLE 2m
Brighterdaysahead put in a phenomenal performance when romping home by 30 lengths in this race 12 months ago but has been absent since May and that will make her vulnerable to the classy LOSSIEMOUTH .
Already a Triumph winner and two-time Mares’ Hurdle victor at Cheltenham , the flying grey is ante-post favourite for Champion Hurdle glory this term and should be fully wound up here following a facile success in the Morgiana .
Christmas Festival Betting Tips
Leopardstown Christmas Festival Betting Tips
Romeo Coolio to win 14:20 Friday
Majborough to win 13:12 Saturday
Skylight Hustle to win 13:47 Saturday
Teahupoo to win 13:55 Sunday
Inothewayurthinkin to win 14:30 Sunday
Lossiemouth to win 14:32 Monday
Bet on Horse Racing Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
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