It’s the final day of the Christmas Festival and we head back to Leopardstown and Limerick.
In Limerick we just have two runners with WINE AN DINE representing us in the opener, the maiden hunter chase. This will be his 3rd start for us since joining the yard from the point to point ranks where he is just 1/14 in the sphere. He was 3rd in a maiden hunter chase for us in Downpatrick at the end of May but will need to improve from that run to feature here on his seasonal reappearance. Josh Williamson takes the ride and claims a useful 7lb.
JANA COLOMBE is our only other runner in Limerick as she takes on as field of 14 in the auction maiden hurdle. A half sister to the talented Gerri Colombe, she has been well held on both of her racecourse starts to date and will need to take a step forward from what she has shown so far. Kevin Sexton rides.
Kicking off the action in Leopardstown we have THE ENABLER and JOCKER DU MOULIN in the opener, the 2m4f maiden hurdle. The Enabler was a smart bumper horse last season and has been placed on 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles this season. He steps up in trip to 2m4f today and could be a major player in the hands of Sam Ewing. Jocker Du Moulin makes his seasonal reappearance and was last seen pulling up in a maiden hurdle back in May. He has done well for the break and can hopefully show a better account of himself here today with Jordan Gainford in the saddle.
PATTER MERCHANT represents us in the novice handicap hurdle. He failed to make an impact in a Grade 2 novice hurdle last time out in Navan where he was well held by stablemate The Yellow Clay but he has been placed in a Grade 3 contest since winning his maiden hurdle and he has the benefit of Carl Millar’s 5lb claim off top weight here today.
We run KALA CONTI in the Grade 3 mares hurdle. She has a 50% strike rate over hurdles including picking up a Grade 2 contest as a juvenile. She steps up in trip to 2m4f for the first time but we’re hopeful she’ll take to that well. Sam Ewing rides.
We run 3 in the opportunity handicap chase. DUNBOYNE makes his seasonal reappearance. After finishing 4th to Coko Beach in the Troytown chase last season his form tapered off in staying handicap chases. He’s fresh from his summer break and working well at home so hopefully he can see out his race today under Jake Coen. BIG STAGE out ran his odds in a 2m5f beginners chase last time out to finish 3rd behind Impaire Et Passe. This is his first start in handicap company over fences and could run a big race under Carl Millar. SHAJAK was third in a 3 mile handicap chase at Navan just 14 days ago. He has had issues with his jumping but if he gets a clear round in then he could also be inv9olved at the business end. James Smith rides and claims a useful 4lb.
We run three in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Hurdle with BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD and KING OF KINGSFIELD, both for Gigginstown House Stud and FILS D’OUDAIRIES for David L’estrange. Brighterdaysahead shocked everyone when she dug deep in the closing stages to beat State Man in the Morgiana at Punchestown and they are set for a rematch here again today. It looks as though it will be her and State Man battling it out again in the finish and hopefully she can get her head in front again with the benefit of her 7lb mares allowance. Sam Ewing rides. King Of Kingsfield reverts back to hurdles after finishing 2nd over fences in Navan last time out. He was previously second to Brighterdaysahead in a Grade 3 contest earlier in the season and could run into some place money. Danny Gilligan rides. Fils D’oudairies is back from a long absence where he was last seen finishing 4th in this race 12 months ago. He'[s the outsider of the field and will certainly come on for the run but he can’t be completely discounted from picking up the minor placings under Jordan Gainford.
We saddle four runners in the listed handicap hurdle. MAXXUM sits at the top of the weights but gets on well with Carl Millar as the pair have landed two valuable handicap hurdles together and will hopefully go well today. Jigoro is a non runner. LUCKY LYREEN produced back to back wins last season and finished mid field on his seasonal reappearance. He would probably appreciate more juice in the ground. Danny Gilligan rides. SA FUREUR is a smart horse who was last seen taking first place honours in a handicap chase at Navan at the beginning of December. He’s rated 18lb lower over hurdles and takes full advantage of that mark here today. He should go close under Sam Ewing. HARSH is another who holds strong claims. Sat near the bottom of the weight, Calum Hogan claims 7lb off and the pair have a good chance of finishing in the mix.
We are double handed in the final race of the day, the winners bumper. WILLIAM BUTLER came with a late run to win his bumper on debut at odds of 25-1 under Josh Halford. He will have come on for that run as he still showed greenness and the pair have been partnered together again today. He can’t be discounted from running a big race. KOKTAIL BRUT made a strong impression on his racecourse debut when winning by 7 lengths. He is also a previous point to point winner and deserves to head the market with Harry Swan booked to ride.
