Irish racing Christmas guide

🗣 "There was a lot to like about that."

Ruby & @LydiaHislop on the exciting Ferny Hollow following his smart chasing debut at @punchestownrace #RoadToCheltenham | @paddypower pic.twitter.com/liAWJdxKiz

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 9, 2021

December 27

The Irish racing ramps up at Leopardstown with Willie Mullins’ two-mile star CHACUN POUR SOI (4/9) on course for a collision with ENVOI ALLEN (5/2), who appears destined to drop back in trip having disappointed in the John Durkan earlier this month.

Mullins is looking for his fifth victory in the race (1.10) while Henry de Bromhead took this two years ago with A Plus Tard.

The master of Closutton also has a strong hand in the other Grade One on the card, the Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.45), responsible for three of the six declared.

Appreciate It won the race 12 months ago before sauntering to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle success at the Cheltenham Festival, but it could be De Bromhead and who steals the show with LARGY DEBUT (2/1).

Minella Times finished second in the Paddy Power Chase (2.55) last Christmas before going on to win the Grand National and Aintree clues could be on offer once more, with Elliott saddling the top two in the market.

The unbeaten GINTO could put his Cheltenham Festival credentials to the test in Limerick‘s Grade Two Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle (2.05), with the five-year-old impressing at Navan earlier this month. 

December 28

Undoubtedly the best day of Irish racing over the Christmas period, the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture could become clearer over at Leopardstown.

Rachael Blackmore is set to be in the saddle as A PLUS TARD (8/11) attempts to follow up his Haydock Betfair Chase romp when defending his Savills Chase (2.20) crown.

He will be joined in the line-up by some of the best staying chases in Irish racing, including previous winners DELTA WORK (8/1) and KEMBOY (8/1).

You often have to look among the placed horses to find your Cheltenham Festival winner from the Pertemps qualifier (1.10) on the card.

Mrs Milner and Sire Du Berlais have both finished in the top six in this race before scoring in the  Prestbury Park final later in the season while The Storyteller was a Festival runner-up in 2020 having made the top half-dozen in this contest in 2019.

FLOORING PORTER (2/1) won the Grade One Christmas Hurdle (1.45) here last season before storming to success in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Gavin Cromwell’s six-year-old is back to defend his title but faces quality opposition in the form of  KLASSICAL DREAM (5/2), ABACADABRAS (8/1) and RONALD PUMP (6/1).

To complete a fantastic afternoon of Irish racing, Cheltenham Festival winner GALOPIN DES CHAMPS could make his eagerly-awaited chasing debut in the Ballymaloe Relish Beginners Chase (2.55) and Champion Bumper clues could be on offer in the Midland Legal Solicitors Flat Race (3.30).

What a race! A Plus Tard wins a thoroughly absorbing and dramatic Savills Chase #RTEracing pic.twitter.com/LYCmiKZUZv

— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) December 28, 2020

December 29

The last day of Leopardstown‘s Christmas Festival sees SHARJAH (evens) attempt to win the feature Matheson Hurdle (2.20) for the fourth successive season.

That would give Mullins his ninth win in the race since 2010 as fringe Champion Hurdle contenders look to throw their hat into the ring while Honeysuckle watches on from her stable.

Ladbrokes Trophy fourth ONTHEROPES could attempt to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Monkfish by taking the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.45) for Mullins while there is also a Grade 3 mares’ hurdle (1.10) on the card.

Limerick‘s Christmas action also draws to a close on Wednesday afternoon with the Grade 2 BoyleSports Sporting Limerick Hurdle (1.30) the highlight of a seven-race card.

Triumph Hurdle winner QUILIXIOS looks the star attraction in that contest.

New Year’s Day

2022 gets off to a bang in the Emerald Isle with two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner AL BOUM PHOTO going for four straight wins in Tramore‘s Savills New Year’s Day Chase (2.20).

This has been the nine-year-old’s regular starting point on the path to Prestbury Park and he could provide the perfect tonic to cure the New Year hangover.

Fairyhouse also stages a seven-race card that features the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares’ Chase (2.40).

View the latest horse racing odds

All odds and market correct at date of publication