It’s the last day of racing for us before Christmas and we send two runners to Ascot and two runners to Thurles.

In Thurles our first runner of the day is TUMUCH in the maiden hurdle. He made a promising debut over hurdles when 3rd on his seasonal reappearance but failed to make an impression when stepped up to 2m3f last time out. He drops back down in trip to 2 miles today and will hopefully show a better account of himself. Jody McGarvey rides.

In the rated novice hurdle we run HEROES RISE. He’s yet to make his mark in novice company since winning his maiden hurdle back in the summer at Listowel but he may improve for stepping up in trip here today. Sam Ewing rides.

Across the water in Ascot, our first runner is FIL DOR in the Howden Graduation Chase. It’s a small and competitive field of just 4 runners, each with strong claims, but Fil Dor has been in excellent form at home and we’re hoping that he’ll be involved in the business end with Danny Gilligan booked to ride.

THE WALLPARK has his first run in a Grade 1 as he takes on 9 rivals in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle. He’s remained unbeaten in his last 4 starts over hurdles and is a progressive sort who certainly deserves to take his chances in graded company. This will be his first start in the colours of J.P. McManus and Mark Walsh takes the ride.