The best reason to leave the house after Christmas is almost upon us, so here’s what the 2013 Christmas festival at Leopardstown has to offer.
After a long few days cooped up with relatives, cold turkey and endless soap operas, the chance to get out of the house at Christmas time is always welcome. But with not much to do if you don’t like shopping, the only way to spend the days afterwards is at Leopardstown.
One of the racing calendar’s best festival, the Christmas Festival is a quality four days, with a lot of horses being primed for an assault on Cheltenham in March.
On the second day of the festival, Paddy Power Day, the highlights include the Paddy Power Chase, the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (Grade 1) and the Paddy Power Future Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1). The Dial-A-Bet Chase should see the veteran Sizing Europe going for a 21st career win, although Arvika Ligeonniere will have plenty of support amongst the punters. In the Topaz Novice Chase, meanwhile, Morning Assembly and Ballycasey look the most likely to be first past the post.
Day three is Ladies Day and on the track the action includes the Lexus Steeplechase (Grade 1) and the WoodiesDIY.com Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1). Familiar names like Bobs Worth, Sir Des Champs and First Lieutenant will no doubt ensure a competitive affair in the first of those races, while keep an eye out for the presence of Solwhit, Thousand Stars and JP McManus’ At Fisher’s Cross in the latter.
The final day of the 2013 Festival is extra special as it is NYE Gathering Day. The day is designed to celebrate returning relatives and on the track, the possible highlight of the meeting is down for decision too.
In the feature Grade 1 ‘Ryanair Hurdle’ (formerly the Istabraq Festival Hurdle) reigning hurdle king Hurricane Fly will take on the rising star Our Conor in what promises to be a belter and the perfect way to wrap up the Festival.
The Willie Mullins trained Hurricane Fly will be aiming to maintain a sensational 100 per cent record at the south Dublin venue, having won all of his previous six races there, including at the Christmas festivals of 2008, 2010 and 2012, where he saw off Unaccompanied in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle.
If you’re looking for a bit of advice – and even the most astute of punters needs some every now and again – there are free daily tips available at thetote.com which might help steer you in the right direction to scoop the €50,000 daily Pick 6.
