Days at the races
RTÉ Racing: Leopardstown Christmas Festival, December 26-29, RTÉ 2
Festive racegoers have much on their plate, come Lá ‘le Stiofáin. Up at cockcrow are many grown-ups today, just like their little ones on Christmas morning. A sneaky sambo, cold turkey on the hoof, before jumping ship.
So, o they go on a cold and frosty morning – Leopardstown and Limerick bound – for a well-deserved day at the races.
The highlight on the opening day at Leopardstown is the Racing Post Trophy (2.20).
Willie Mullins has two whispered future stars to choose from: Facile Vega and Gaelic Warrior. His selected runner is…ssssh…surely ours.
The Juvenile Hurdle (1.10) can go to Gordon Elliott’s Mighty Bandit.
The Mullins juggernaut may already be on a roll at the halfway stage of Wednesday’s programme, when Mystical Power lines up for the Future Champions Novices Hurdle(1.45). There are high hopes of this exciting fouryear-old living up to his name.
Earlier, El Fabiolo represents the Closutton trainer in the Paddy Power Champion Chase (1.10) and should duly oblige.
The featured Paddy Power Handicap Chase (2.35) is, as always, a wideopen a air. Desertmore House and Jody Ted are tentatively put forward for a jackpot-cum-placepot players.
Thursday’s Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (1.10) is named in memory of trainer Henry’s son, who died in a riding accident 15 months ago. One of this hack’s strongest fancies, Buddy One, is earmarked for this event…but, like everyone else, would be overjoyed to see Rachael Blackmore on her boss’s horse come home in front.
Showpiece of the festival is the Savills Chase (2.20) in which reigning Gold Cup hero, Galopin Des Champs, locks horns with his nemesis, Fast Or Slow, for a third David-and-goliath confrontation. This is the conclusive one, before Cheltenham: and this time, behold: the galloping giant awakened!
Friday ends where we started with the Neville’s Chase (1.45): either Gaelic Warrior or Facile Vega from the Mullins camp. Slam-dunk!
The Matheson Hurdle (2.20) takes pride of place on the card: a walk in the park, no less, for the juggernaut agship, State Man.
As for Limerick, where the feature races are also live on RTÉ, Mister
Policeman in the Faugheen Chase (2.05) and Lark in the Park are the nap and next best.
A time to enjoy and make merry, indeed, for what comes and goes in a ash like Santa. Then it’s back to the drawing board and home.