The Leopardstown Christmas Festival: day-by-day guide

The treats are going to come thick and fast for racing fans over the Christmas week.

They include Leopardstown’s four-day Christmas Festival, which begins on St Stephen’s Day (December 26). This is a superb meeting with a wide array of Graded contests, competitive handicaps and informative bumpers for punters to enjoy.

Danny Archer looks ahead to all the action, suggesting a star name to note for each day.

December 26: Racing Post Day

The opening day of action begins with a seven-race card from noon through to 3.30pm.

An excellent card includes Grade One action with the Racing Post Novice Chase (2.20pm). It’s roll of honour includes Ferny Hollow, Sizing Europe, Min, Douvan and Moscow Flyer.

Another interesting race on the card is the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle which has been won by multiple Grade One heroine Apple’s Jade, subsequent Champion Hurdle hero Espoir D’Allen and Fil Dor.

You can also enjoy the Daft Punk Tribute Act after racing, highlighting that there is clearly something for everyone.

Star act: Fil Dor in the Racing Post Novice Chase. Second in last season’s Triumph Hurdle, he made a stylish chasing debut at Naas, powering clear from the smart Saint Roi in impressive style. Gordon Elliott has not won this race since 2014, with Clarcam, but this imposing grey has the size and scope to make a big impact as a chaser and he candeliver.

One of the most valuable racedays in the Irish calendar, Paddy Power Chase Day includes top-quality Grade One contests, coupled with the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase, with €110,000 up for grabs to the winner.

Chacun Pour Soi chases a second win in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (1.10pm), having won the 2020 running for Willie Mullins. The Closutton maestro is the winning-most trainer in the race’s history and it could be that Chacun Pour Soi has most to fear from stable companion Blue Lord.

The Paddy Power Chase (3.00pm) looks wide open as usual, but Panda Boy looks one to note for Martin Brassil. Unexposed after just three starts over fences, a handicap mark of 136 looks workable.

After racing, there is the Connor McKeon band top enjoy. They have played at the past four Christmas Festivals.

Star act: Facile Vega is a horse with the world at his feet. Unbeaten in five starts under Rules, the Champion Bumper winner was brilliant on hurdling debut at Fairyhouse and should take the world of beating in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.45pm).

The highlight of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is undoubtedly the Grade One Savills Chase (2.20pm). The three-mile staying chase has a rich heritage having been won by the likes of Denman, Best Mate, Beef Or Salmon, Tidal Bay and Synchronised.

The 2022 renewal is set to feature three previous champions in the shape of 2019 victor Kemboy, 2020 hero A Plus Tard and defending champion Galvin. The pair fought out a thrilling finish 12 months ago and are leading contenders once again.

It will also be a poignant day at the track with the Christmas Hurdle (1.10pm) run in memory of Jack de Bromhead, who died in a pony riding accident in September at the age of 13. The card will help serve as a celebration of Jack’s life and his impact on the Irish racing community.

Flooring Porter and Klassical Dream have landed the past two runnings and are leading contenders, along with Bob Olinger.

Away from the action on the track, the Benetti Menswear Style Awards take place with €7,000 of prizes up for grabs across both male and female categories.

Star act: Stattler faces a tough task pitched into the Savills Chase on his seasonal return but underestimate him at your peril. Unbeaten over fences, he was simply brilliant in the National Hunt Chase when last seen and with stamina assured, he looks sure to make a bold bid.

The fourth and final day of the meeting is headlined by the Matheson Hurdle (2.20pm) – a two-mile Grade One event which boasts a glorious roll of honour. Istabraq and Hurricane Fly are both four-time winners of the event, while the Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah will look to make history in the 2022 renewal by becoming the first five-time winner.

Mullins looks sure to be well-represented, with State Man a leading player. He won the County Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival and has since enjoyed successive Grade One wins, latterly landing the Morgiana Hurdle on seasonal debut, defeating Sharjah in the process.

The other Grade One event is the Neville Hotels Novice Chase (1.45pm) with the likes of Gaillard Du Mesnil, Classic Getaway and Minella Cocooner likely leading players.

Family Day also sees a range of fun and activities for the whole family to enjoy, with children under 12 getting free admission. Spring Break will light up the stage with US floor-fillers of the 1980s. The Plusvital Leading Trainer Award will also be awarded with the overall winner being presented with €1500 worth of Plusvital nutritional supplement or genetic testing products.

Star act: It is tough to look past State Man. He made a mockery of this year’s County Hurdle and has looked a superstar with two Grade One victories. He can upset Sharjah’s bid for history.