Leopardstown Festival launched at Elliott's stable

At a visit to Cullentra House Stables, home to leading trainer Gordon Elliott, Leopardstown Racecourse today revealed the entries for the seven Grade 1 races at the upcoming Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Coneygree, Djakadam and Road To Riches, first, second and third in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup could line up in the €150,000 Lexus Chase which also features the Elliott-trained Don Cossack, the highest rated chaser in Ireland and Britain and Vautour who made a winning return at Ascot last month. Also among the 26 entries are Many Clouds who won the Aintree Grand National in April and Shutthefrontdoor who landed the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in 2014.

Nichols Canyon, Arctic Fire, Identity Thief and Windsor Park head the entries for the €100,000 Ryanair Hurdle with the €100,000 Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase featuring Un De Sceaux, Clarcam and Smashing. The €90,000 Racing Post Novice Chase has attracted the likes of Douvan, Kitten Rock and Sizing John while Long Dog, Tombstone, Woodland Opera and Disko are among the entries for the €85,000 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

Martello Tower, Thousand Stars, Alpha Des Obeaux and the Dan Skelton-trained Baradari feature among the entries for the €85,000 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle and of the 34 horses in the €85,000 Neville Hotels Novice Chase, No More Heroes and Monksland, first and second in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday, More Of That and Outlander catch the eye.

Also released today were the 73 entries for the Paddy Power Handicap Chase for which Gilgamboa, Home Farm and Lyreen Legend have been allotted joint top-weight of 11st 10lbs. Other notable entries for the €190,000 event include Rule The World, First Lieutenant, Grand Jesture, Lord Scoundrel, Cause Of Causes, Jacksonslady, Urano, Heathfield, Empire Of Dirt, Rossvoss and Malt Gem.

Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, said: “It is an exciting time for everyone at Leopardstown and coming hot on the heels of the announcement of our €12m development plan, we could not be happier with the quality of entries for the seven Grade 1 races at our Christmas Festival. Once again, we are grateful to have the support of so many sponsors, owners and trainers and thanks to them, we are set for four days of truly top-class racing beginning on St Stephen’s Day.”