Christmas racing thread

[Old Vic]

Will dig out some stats tomorrow ...

[Kevloaf]

Any stats on novices having their first run in open company in the King George?

I am so thrilled about that contest.... I feel like a lot of the 'Christmas highlights' are a little bit underwhelming. Maybe I just haven't started looking at them properly yet, but nothing was jumping out at me until the King George and even that is missing Coneygree to go down as an all-time great race.

Surprised myself with how negative I am

[Istabraq]

Surprised myself with how negative I am

You're not my wife in disguise are you.....

[Kevloaf]

You're not my wife in disguise are you.....

"well maybe if you spend more time helping with the choirs and less time on those crappy horse racing forums I wouldn't need to be so negative!!!!"

[Old Vic]

Leopardstown 26 December

Grade 2 Juvenile


Previous Years
2015 Apple's Jade 3 10-5 J J Burke 12/1 (W P Mullins)
2014 Fiscal Focus 3 10-12 M P Fogarty 33/1 (Desmond McDonogh)
2013 Guitar Pete 3 10-12 B J Cooper 9/2 (D T Hughes)
2012 Blood Cotil 3 10-12 P Townend 4/9Fav (W P Mullins)
2011 His Excellency 3 10-12 D N Russell 8/1 (Gordon Elliott)
2010 Sailors Warn 3 10-12 Andrew J McNamara 12/1 (E J O'Grady)
2009 Carlito Brigante 3 10-12 D N Russell 20/1 (Gordon Elliott)
2008 Lethal Weapon 3 11-0 A P Crowe 7/4 (C Roche)
2007 Won In The Dark 3 11-0 M F Mooney 8/1 (Sabrina J Harty)
2006 Lounaos 3 10-4 B J Geraghty 5/4Fav (Eoin Griffin)
2005 Clear Riposte 3 10-4 D J Casey 14/1 (W P Mullins)
2004 Arch Rebel 3 10-9 Mr N P Madden 7/2Fav (Noel Meade)
2003 Top Strategy 3 10-9 G T Hutchinson 4/1 (T M Walsh)
2002 Party Airs 3 10-9 B J Geraghty 4/1 (D K Weld)
2001 Newhall 3 10-4 F J Flood 4/1 (F Flood)
2000 Pittsburgh Phil 3 10-9 T P Rudd 5/1 (M J P O'Brien)
1999 Calladine 3 10-9 E G Callaghan 16/1 (S J Mahon)
1998 Knife Edge 3 10-9 T P Rudd 9/4 (M J P O'Brien)


Grade 1 2m Novice Chase



Previous Years
2015 Douvan 5 11-12 Mr P W Mullins 4/7Fav (W P Mullins)
2014 Clarcam 4 11-1 B J Cooper 8/1 (Gordon Elliott)
2013 Defy Logic 6 11-12 M P Walsh 7/2 (Paul Nolan)
2012 Arvika Ligeonniere 7 11-12 P Townend 9/10Fav (W P Mullins)
2011 Blackstairmountain 6 11-12 P Townend 9/2 (W P Mullins)
2010 Realt Dubh 6 11-12 P Carberry 10/1 (Noel Meade)
2009 Sizing Europe 7 11-12 A E Lynch 1/1Fav (Henry De Bromhead)
2008 Follow The Plan 5 11-12 J L Cullen 12/1 (Oliver McKiernan)
2007 Sky's The Limit 6 11-12 Andrew J McNamara 5/4Fav (E J O'Grady)
2006 Schindlers Hunt 6 11-12 R Loughran 3/1 (D T Hughes)
2005 Missed That 6 11-12 D J Casey 10/1 (W P Mullins)
2004 Mariah Rollins 6 11-7 J L Cullen 4/1 (P A Fahy)
2003 Central House 6 11-12 P Carberry 9/4Fav (D T Hughes)
2002 Le Coudray 8 11-12 B J Geraghty 8/13Fav (C Roche)
2001 Moscow Flyer 7 11-12 B J Geraghty 5/4Fav (Mrs John Harrington)
2000 Knife Edge 5 11-10 T P Rudd 4/7Fav (M J P O'Brien)
1999 Native Upmanship 6 11-6 C O'Dwyer 4/1 (A L T Moore)
1998 His Song 5 11-4 J R Barry 5/2Fav (M F Morris)


Limerick Grade 2 Novice Chase



Previous Years
2015 Outlander 7 11-4 D J Mullins 1/2Fav (W P Mullins)
2014 Gilgamboa 6 11-4 M P Walsh 7/4Fav (E Bolger)
2013 The Paparrazi Kid 6 11-6 E Mullins 5/1 (W P Mullins)
2012 Argocat 4 10-9 Andrew J McNamara 9/4 (T J Taaffe)
2011 Sir Des Champs 5 11-6 E Mullins 4/7Fav (W P Mullins)
2010 Abandoned
2009 Dancing Tornado 8 11-5 D J Casey 10/3 (Michael Hourigan)
2008 Financial Reward 5 11-5 D J Casey 9/2 (W P Mullins)
2007 Merry Cowboy 6 11-5 S W Flanagan 16/1 (E Sheehy)
2006 One Cool Cookie 5 11-3 C O'Dwyer 5/2 (C F Swan)
2005 Baily Breeze 6 11-5 P W Flood 10/1 (M F Morris)
2004 Cane Brake 5 11-6 M D Grant 2/1Fav (David Wachman)
2003 Hi Cloy 6 11-5 T J Murphy 5/4Fav (Michael Hourigan)
2002 Intelligent 6 11-5 R M Power 9/2 (Mrs John Harrington)

[Old Vic]

Leopardstown 27 December

Grade 1 2 Mile Chase


Previous Years
2015 Flemenstar 10 11-12 A E Lynch 16/1 (Anthony Curran)
2014 Twinlight 7 11-12 P Townend 16/1 (W P Mullins)
2013 Benefficient 7 11-12 B J Cooper 9/1 (A J Martin)
2012 Sizing Europe 10 11-12 A E Lynch 1/3Fav (Henry De Bromhead)
2011 Big Zeb 10 11-12 R M Power 8/11Fav (C A Murphy)
2010 Big Zeb 9 11-12 B J Geraghty 1/1Fav (C A Murphy)
2009 Golden Silver 7 11-12 P Townend 5/2 (W P Mullins)
2008 Big Zeb 7 11-12 M M O'Connor 5/1 (C A Murphy)
2007 Mansony 8 11-12 D N Russell 2/1JFav (A L T Moore)
2006 Nickname 7 11-12 N P Madden 5/2 (Martin Brassil)
2005 Hi Cloy 8 11-12 Andrew J McNamara 8/1 (Michael Hourigan)
2004 Central House 7 11-12 P Carberry 9/2 (D T Hughes)
2003 Moscow Flyer 9 11-12 B J Geraghty 2/7Fav (Mrs John Harrington)
2002 Moscow Flyer 8 11-12 B J Geraghty 4/9Fav (Mrs John Harrington)


Grade 1 2mile novice hurdle



Previous Years
2015 Long Dog 5 11-10 R Walsh 9/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2014 Sizing John 4 11-7 J J Burke 11/1 (Henry De Bromhead)
2013 The Tullow Tank 5 11-10 D E Mullins 9/4 (Philip Fenton)
2012 Jezki 4 11-7 R M Power 11/8Fav (Mrs John Harrington)
2011 Cash And Go 4 11-7 A E Lynch 11/2 (E J O'Grady)
2010 First Lieutenant 5 11-10 D N Russell 16/1 (M F Morris)
2009 Hollo Ladies 4 11-7 D J Condon 25/1 (Noel Meade)
2008 Hurricane Fly 4 11-7 P Townend 1/1Fav (W P Mullins)
2007 Whatuthink 5 11-4 C O'Dwyer 20/1 (Oliver McKiernan)
2006 De Valira 4 10-13 A E Lynch 3/1 (M J P O'Brien)
2005 Mr Nosie 4 10-13 P Carberry 7/2 (Noel Meade)
2004 Royal Paradise 4 10-13 C O'Dwyer 11/4 (Thomas Foley)
2003 Mariah Rollins 5 10-13 D J Casey 4/1 (P A Fahy)
2002 Solerina 5 11-2 R Walsh 4/9Fav (James Bowe)

[Old Vic]

Leopardstown 28 December -

3 mile grade 1 hurdle



Previous Years
2015 Prince Of Scars 5 11-10 D N Russell 10/1 (Gordon Elliott)
2014 Lieutenant Colonel 5 11-10 B J Cooper 4/1 (Ms Sandra Hughes)
2013 Zaidpour 7 11-10 R Walsh 5/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2012 Monksland 5 11-8 P Carberry 11/4 (Noel Meade)
2011 Voler La Vedette 7 11-3 A E Lynch 13/8 (C A Murphy)
2010 Mourad 5 11-6 P Townend 7/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2009 Powerstation 9 11-3 Andrew J McNamara 9/1 (Eamonn O'Connell)
2008 Catch Me 6 11-10 Andrew J McNamara 4/6Fav (E J O'Grady)
2007 Sweet Kiln 8 11-3 T J Doyle 11/10Fav (Michael J Bowe)
2006 Celestial Wave 6 11-3 T J Murphy 11/4 (Adrian Maguire)
2005 Rosaker 8 11-8 P Carberry 7/1 (Noel Meade)
2004 Emotional Moment 7 11-9 B J Geraghty 4/1 (T J Taaffe)
2003 Sacundai 6 11-11 B J Geraghty 1/1Fav (E J O'Grady)
2002 Limestone Lad 10 11-11 P Carberry 4/6Fav (James Bowe)
2001 Bannow Bay 6 11-11 C F Swan 11/4 (C Roche)
2000 Bannow Bay 5 11-2 C F Swan 9/4Fav (C Roche)

Lexus Chase



Previous Years
2015 Don Poli 6 11-10 B J Cooper 4/6Fav (W P Mullins)
2014 Road To Riches 7 11-10 B J Cooper 4/1 (Noel Meade)
2013 Bobs Worth 8 11-10 B J Geraghty 11/4JFav (Nicky Henderson)
2012 Tidal Bay 11 11-10 R Walsh 9/2 (Paul Nicholls)
2011 Synchronised 8 11-10 A P McCoy 8/1 (Jonjo O'Neill)
2010 Pandorama 7 11-10 P Carberry 7/2JFav (Noel Meade)
2009 What A Friend 6 11-10 S Thomas 11/2 (Paul Nicholls)
2008 Exotic Dancer 8 11-10 A P McCoy 4/1 (Jonjo O'Neill)
2007 Denman 7 11-10 R Walsh 4/9Fav (Paul Nicholls)
2006 The Listener 7 11-10 D A Jacob 7/1 (R H Alner)
2005 Beef Or Salmon 9 11-12 P Carberry 9/10Fav (Michael Hourigan)
2004 Beef Or Salmon 8 11-12 P Carberry 9/4 (Michael Hourigan)
2003 Best Mate 8 11-12 J Culloty 8/11Fav (Miss H C Knight)
2002 Beef Or Salmon 6 11-9 T J Murphy 5/1 (Michael Hourigan)
2001 Foxchapel King 8 12-0 D J Casey 9/2 (M F Morris)
2000 Rince Ri 7 12-0 R Walsh 5/1 (T M Walsh)

[Old Vic]

Leopardstown 29 December

3 mile novice chase grade 1



Previous Years
2015 No More Heroes 6 11-10 B J Cooper 4/9Fav (Gordon Elliott)
2014 Don Poli 5 11-9 B J Cooper 9/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2013 Carlingford Lough 7 11-10 A P McCoy 5/1 (John E Kiely)
2012 Back In Focus 7 11-10 R Walsh 6/4Fav (W P Mullins)
2011 Last Instalment 6 11-10 B T O'Connell 11/4 (Philip Fenton)
2010 Bostons Angel 6 11-10 R M Power 14/1 (Mrs John Harrington)
2009 Pandorama 6 11-10 D J Condon 11/8Fav (Noel Meade)
2008 Casey Jones 7 11-10 P Carberry 25/1 (Noel Meade)
2006 Cailin Alainn 7 11-5 D N Russell 13/8Fav (C Byrnes)
2005 Southern Vic 6 11-10 R Walsh 5/2JFav (T M Walsh)
2004 Forget The Past 6 11-10 Mr D W Cullen 7/2 (M J P O'Brien)
2003 Pizarro 6 11-10 B J Geraghty 4/1 (E J O'Grady)
2002 Be My Belle 6 10-12 T J Murphy 13/2 (S J Treacy)
2001 Give Over 8 11-0 D J Casey 12/1 (Edward U Hales)
2000 Over The Furze 7 11-6 C O'Dwyer 5/4JFav (J A Berry)

2m Grade 1 Hurdle



Previous Years
2015 Nichols Canyon 5 11-10 R Walsh 2/5Fav (W P Mullins)
2014 Hurricane Fly 10 11-10 R Walsh 5/6Fav (W P Mullins)
2013 Hurricane Fly 9 11-10 R Walsh 11/10Fav (W P Mullins)
2012 Hurricane Fly 8 11-10 R Walsh 1/5Fav (W P Mullins)
2011 Unaccompanied 4 11-0 P Townend 10/3 (D K Weld)

[Istabraq]

Thanks OV.
When you look at Mullins domination over the years I'm surprised not to see his name more often on these lists, could it be he trains his horses to peak for the Spring festivals ?
I'm not suggesting that's a trend but it would be interesting to see his historical strike rate over Christmas compared with latter periods...

[Kevloaf]

I think thats certainly the perception ("Mullins targets the spring"). Interesting to see if his strike rate does improve then or not. I'd guess it does.

Nichols Canyon over 2 miles would interest me a lot* (assuming Faugheen doesn't turn up) on 29/12/16


*as in huge 'lump on' kinda job

[Faugheen_Machine]

Only 5 entered in the Christmas Hurdle. Could Faugheen be one of the five?

The race reopened, final decs announced at 11am tomorrow.

[KingSprinterSacre]

No faugheen. Vvm is in

[Kevloaf]

5/2 .... VVM

Yanworth fav? Give me a wheel barrow. Taken 5/2 .... Mental that she isn't fav for this race. Mental.


Apparently Ruby had confirmed Faugheen WILL run in the Ryanair on the 29th .... 6/4 available?

[KingSprinterSacre]

5/2 .... VVM

Yanworth fav? Give me a wheel barrow. Taken 5/2 .... Mental that she isn't fav for this race. Mental.


Apparently Ruby had confirmed Faugheen WILL run in the Ryanair on the 29th .... 6/4 available?

took VVM 3/1 and Valseur Lido 2/1 double yesterday. Ruby said Faugheen looks great and will be out soon. He was left in for Leopardstown today but i'd be surprised if he runs in that to be honest.

[Istabraq]

I've said it before but VVM gives me the impression of being the stable's afterthought, she goes wherever the others don't.
Just on VVM, I don't know if this is a question of her ability or that Limini is a better horse but during the last festival Ruby said that he couldn't understand why Limini was a bigger price than VVM when's she was a better horse running in a weaker race....