Flanagan looking forward to Mate & Edge over Christmas Sean Flanagan is on course for his best ever season with 47 winners already in the bag and the Wexford native is looking forward to some exciting rides for his boss Noel Meade at the upcoming Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Flanagan, who is currently third in the jump jockeys championship, nominated a couple of hurdlers with Grade 1 entries on a call to launch the four-day Leopardstown Christmas Festival which runs from December 26 to 29. Cask Mate has really blossomed this season following a lengthy lay-off and could renew rivalry with Ballyadam, whom he finished runner-up to in the BARONERACING.COM Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse, in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. “I was delighted with him last time. I didn't know what to make of him this season as he had a lot of very good form early on but obviously had an injury and missed almost three years. It was a good effort by the owners and the trainer to get him back,” said Flanagan. “When he won his maiden in Limerick they went very steady and he won it so comfortably I was under the illusion that it could have been a very falsely run race. He has a lot of flat speed and went away and done it well. “Then we went to Punchestown where he really surprised me and I think he's probably stepped up again to be second to Ballyadam. They didn't go very quick and he picked up and quickened away with him all the way to the line. “I do think Ballyadam was very impressive to go away and win as we went so steady early. He was never going to win by a long distance, barring he was a five-furlong sprinter, down the straight. “I thought it was a good race and I was very happy with my lad. He's come out of the race quite well and I'd imagine we'll see him at Leopardstown over Christmas.” Beacon Edge holds entries over differing distances in the three-mile Christmas Hurdle and over two miles in the Matheson Hurdle. The six-year-old gelding has been campaigned at around two and a half miles so far this term scoring at Downpatrick and Galway before finishing a close-up third to Honeysuckle in the Grade 1 BARONERACING.COM Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. “Before he ran at Fairyhouse we were toying with the idea that he might step up to three miles. He's relatively inexperienced and is only starting to get the hang of racing now,” Flanagan commented. “We didn't go quick in Fairyhouse and Honeysuckle got to dictate. I obviously didn't want to be left in front for too long so I was happy enough to follow her. He battled all the way to the line and was well able to jump at the speed we came down the home straight. “We wouldn't be too disappointed and sticking at two miles might be the best option for him. That's probably what we'll do going forward for a while and see how he does.” (AM & GC)
