THE LADIES TAKE centre stage for the first of Tuesday’s Grade races at Leopardstown, the 2m4f Mares Hurdle, and as expected Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh will saddle the favourite.
Unbeaten in her first six starts, Morning Run could follow in the footsteps of Quevega and Annie Power and become the next wondermare off the yard’s healthy production line. She’s bound to go off the odds-on favourite, while it’s no surprise that Mullins also saddles the most likely challenger in Whiteout.
Jessica Harrington’s Rock on the Moor is used to competing in more experienced company than this and makes her return for the first time since May.
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1.55pm — Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)
After clinching the Lexus Chase for Gigginstown on Monday, Bryan Cooper returns in maroon in a bid to add another Grade 1 to his growing collection.
He rides the heavily-fancied No More Heroes in the three-mile novice chase, as Gordon Elliot’s rising star looks to follow up on his win in the Drinmore last month.
Noel Meade’s Monksland was second that day over the shorter distance, and he re-opposes here. In fact, he is the only non-Gigginstown runner in the small field with Rule The World and outsider Wrath of Titans completing the quartet.
2.30pm — Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1)
It’s another short field for the final Grade 1 of this year’s festival and in Nichols Canyon, Willie Mullins again appears to hold all the leading hand.
His performance to beat Faugheen in the Morgiana was one of the shocks of the season so far and while the latter might not have been fully right, it’s a win that cannot be discredited.
The same applies to Identity Thief‘s victory in the Fighting Fifth, even if this year’s renewal was not as strong as we have come to expect.
Windsor Park switches back to the shorter trip, but none of Dermot Weld’s fancied runners have lived up to their billing in the testing conditions this week, while on the basis of his Morgiana run, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Plinth surely needs a miracle to feature.
3 big races to watch on the final day of Leopardstown's Christmas Festival
1.20pm — Willis E.B.F. Mares Hurdle (Grade 3)
THE LADIES TAKE centre stage for the first of Tuesday’s Grade races at Leopardstown, the 2m4f Mares Hurdle, and as expected Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh will saddle the favourite.
Unbeaten in her first six starts, Morning Run could follow in the footsteps of Quevega and Annie Power and become the next wondermare off the yard’s healthy production line. She’s bound to go off the odds-on favourite, while it’s no surprise that Mullins also saddles the most likely challenger in Whiteout.
Jessica Harrington’s Rock on the Moor is used to competing in more experienced company than this and makes her return for the first time since May.
1.55pm — Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)
After clinching the Lexus Chase for Gigginstown on Monday, Bryan Cooper returns in maroon in a bid to add another Grade 1 to his growing collection.
He rides the heavily-fancied No More Heroes in the three-mile novice chase, as Gordon Elliot’s rising star looks to follow up on his win in the Drinmore last month.
Noel Meade’s Monksland was second that day over the shorter distance, and he re-opposes here. In fact, he is the only non-Gigginstown runner in the small field with Rule The World and outsider Wrath of Titans completing the quartet.
2.30pm — Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1)
It’s another short field for the final Grade 1 of this year’s festival and in Nichols Canyon, Willie Mullins again appears to hold all the leading hand.
His performance to beat Faugheen in the Morgiana was one of the shocks of the season so far and while the latter might not have been fully right, it’s a win that cannot be discredited.
The same applies to Identity Thief‘s victory in the Fighting Fifth, even if this year’s renewal was not as strong as we have come to expect.
Windsor Park switches back to the shorter trip, but none of Dermot Weld’s fancied runners have lived up to their billing in the testing conditions this week, while on the basis of his Morgiana run, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Plinth surely needs a miracle to feature.
– First published 20.30, 28 December
Don day afternoon as Willie Mullins finally wins the Lexus Chase
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Horse Racing Leopardstown Nichols Canyon No More Heroes Preview