Preview of the key races on the final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival It has been a fruitful Christmas for followers of Willie Mullins as the trainer landed a sensational six-timer at Leopardstown on Tuesday. The master trainer’s impressive domination at major racing festivals looks set to continue in the Grade 1 contests on the final day of the four-day Christmas Festival. BoyleSports is adding further flavour to proceedings offering ‘Bet 10 Get 50 + Money Back 2nd’ which could work in your favour when pondering which of the Mullins trio will prevail in the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle at 2.20. Sharjah has landed this contest for the past four years but was beaten four lengths in the Morgiana Hurdle by today’s odds-on favourite and the yard’s top Champion Hurdle hope, State Man. While State Man looks today’s likely winner, Mullins has always had a twinkle in his eye when discussing Vauban and today we will discover if the 2022 Triumph Hurdle victor can strengthen his credentials for the Champion Hurdle. The triple Grade-1 winner has been off the track since Punchestown in April but this exciting youngster described by Mullins as having a ‘huge engine’ and ‘serious gears’ boasts an impressive turn of foot and was super slick over his hurdles on his final outing last season. It can be difficult for juveniles in open company but it might be worth a saver at today’s current price of 11-2 - if you snap up the BoyleSports money back for 2nd offer. Gaillard Du Mesnil is hot favourite favourite for the Mullins team in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Steeplechase, the talented six-year-old is extremely consistent and boasts excellent form with a good second in behind Mighty Potter on his seasonal debut. That run will set him up nicely for today’s contest over three miles. Gordon Elliott’s Three Stripe Life was pulled up in that race but up in trip today poses a big threat. Both are Grade 1 winners over hurdles and it should be a fascinating contest. For each-way value, Frontal Assault at 12-1 is interesting, the big staying chaser has finished second in an Irish National and was 5th in the Troytown last time. He got the better of Darrens Hope by 4.5 lengths at Galway in October who has since won a Grade 2. A quick scan of the past winners of the Grade 3 Mares Hurdle at 1.10 throws up no surprises as Willie Mullins has landed five of the last six runnings. He is represented this year by Shewearsitwell who wasn’t the most convincing on her last outing at Punchestown before knuckling down in the final stages to win. Preference however, is for the favourite Queens Brook trained by Gordon Elliott. The classy mare has never finished out of the top three, she carries a three pound penalty due to the fact she is a dual-hurdle winner but is fancied to defy that. Her form is top notch with a second in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and a six-length win in a Listed race at Punchestown last time out. The final race of the day, the bumper is a cracker to round off a memorable festive meeting but it is also a complete head scratcher. Caldwell Potter for Gordon Elliott was impressive when winning by 7.5 lengths last time and is brother of the very smart Mighty Potter, the expensive purchase has race fitness and experience on his side which may give him the edge. Willie Mullins saddles Special Cadaeu, bought out of Pam Sly’s yard following a bumper win at Huntingdon while his stablemate Lecky Watson and Gordon Elliott’s Cato Capone re-oppose after Lecky Watson was demoted when beating his rival last time. Black-type filly Rockstown Girl is interesting at a bigger price, her trainer Anthony McCann adores her and retains a share in her.
