'Natural over fences' - Christmas treats in store at Leopardstown and Limerick The festive period is an exciting one for horse racing fans and it will soon be upon us. We have lots to look forward to in Ireland over the next week, with plenty Grade 1 racing on offer. Leopardstown and Limerick both host four-day meetings which kick off on St Stephen’s Day so we’re going to take a closer look at some of the highlights. St Stephen’s Day Leopardstown hosts the Grade 2 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle and there are some fascinating potential runners. French import Narciso Has represents the very dangerous JP McManus and Willie Mullins combination and he’s a dark horse to watch. He was beaten on seasonal debut but should improve significantly for the run and may well be capable of reversing the form with Gordon Elliott’s Mange Tout. She is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and it would be unwise to rule out further progress. Our first Grade 1 offering is the Racing Post Novice Chase and leading Arkle candidate Romeo Coolio heads the betting. Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old is a natural over fences and was last seen winning the Drinmore. Plenty of smart horses could line up in opposition, with the likes of Salvator Mundi, July Flower, Irish Panther and Kargese all looking interesting. Limerick’s feature race is the Defender Novice Hurdle, a Grade 2 over 2m7f. It’s shaping up to be a thoroughly competitive affair and there are lots of smart prospects among the entries. Doctor Steinberg won a Grade 2 when last seen and Classical Greek looks useful. December 27th We have two Grade 1s to look forward to at Leopardstown, the first of which is the Paddy’s rewards Club Chase. Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale is set to make his reappearance and Willie Mullins’ Majborough will bid to rescue his reputation. Mullins dominates the entries for the Future Champions Novice hurdle and impressive Thurles maiden winner Le Divin Enfant heads the market. The unbeaten Love Me Tender and fellow stablemate Sortudo would also be intriguing runners. Mares Champion Hurdle winner Jade De Grugy could line up in the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick and Henry de Bromhead’s very promising mare, the Big Westerner, is also among the entries. December 28th Sunday’s racing looks absolutely top-drawer with Leopardstown and Limerick hosting three Grade 1s between them. The stayers get their chance to shine in the Christmas Hurdle and a big rematch between Ballyburn and Teahupoo could be on the cards. Bob Olinger also makes his reappearance and The Yellow Clay is right in the mix as well. It’s the Savills Chase next at Leopardstown and the flagship three-mile chase is one of the highlights of the season. Inothewayurthinkin, Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow are set to clash and it should be a cracker. Limerick’s Faugheen Novice Chase is the best race of their Christmas Festival and impressive beginners’ chase winner Final Demand will be very hard to beat. December 29th Leopardstown is offering up one final Grade 1 treat for us on Monday and it should be an enthralling affair. Lossiemouth will be well fancied to follow up her Morgiana Hurdle victory last time out but Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead won’t make life easy for her. Wodhooh’s only defeat so far came at the hands of Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle last season and she won nicely on her reappearance at Ascot last month. Irancy is better than he showed in the Morgiana but star stablemate Lossiemouth is probably better.
