The festive period is one of the biggest times of the year for horse racing fans, with non-stop action across the United Kingdom and Ireland between Christmas and New Year—with top courses like Kempton Park, Leopardstown, and Newbury offering ample opportunity for those who bet on horse racing.
With graded action coming thick and fast over the course of the week, the big names were out in their numbers in preparation for the Cheltenham Festival in March. However, there were so many races, including over 70 on Boxing Day, that it was perhaps hard to keep track.
That said, let’s recap some of the biggest and best races to take place over the festive period—many of which left racing pundits and enthusiasts in awe.
Savills Chase – Galopin Des Champs
The Savills Chase is the highlight of the prestigious Leopardstown Christmas Festival, and this season’s renewal certainly didn’t disappoint as Galopin Des Champs stormed to victory in pursuit of his historic third Gold Cup bid.
The nine-year-old beat Gerri Colombe by 23 lengths in the same contest 12 months earlier. He was just as classy when fending off his highly-rated Willie Mullins stablemate Fact To File with a similarly commanding victory.
After reversing the form on Fact To File, Galopin Des Champs is now the firm 11/10 favourite to complete the threepeat in the Gold Cup.
Christmas Hurdle – Constitution Hill
Jumps racing fans had their alarms set for 1:55 on Boxing Day as the indomitable Constitution Hill made his long-awaited return to the track for the defence of his Christmas Hurdle crown at Kempton Park.
The Nicky Henderson-trained star had been sidelined with illness for 12 months and was faced with the challenge of top mare Lossiemouth in the two-mile Grade 1. However, Mullins’ five-year-old couldn’t lay a glove on Constitution Hill, who shrugged off any suggestions of rust with a cosy win.
While Lossiemouth was perhaps not at her best on the day, with jockey Paul Townend admitting she was flat, Constitution Hill is now 5/6 favourites for the Champion Hurdle in March.
Neville Hotels Hurdle – Brigtherdaysahead
Back in Ireland, there were potentially more Cheltenham Festival clues when Brigtherdaysahead obliterated the field in the Neville Hotels Hurdle—besting the likes of current Champion Hurdle holder State Man and dual Grade 1 winner Mystical Power.
Sitting in second with a fast pace being set by stablemate King Of Kingsfield, Gordon Elliott’s duo opened up a massive gap on the rest of the runners, and Brighterdaysahead kicked on in the closing stages to win by a remarkable 30 lengths from 66/1 outsider Winter Fog.
There have been calls for Brighterdaysahead to take on Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle, but the Mares’ Hurdle still prefers her connections.
Challow Hurdle – The New Lion
There were several impressive performances from novices over the Christmas season, including Sir Gino’s win in the Wayward Lad and The Jukebox Man’s success in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
Still, none have perhaps captured the attention of The New Lion’s victory in the Challow Hurdle.
Dan Skelton’s five-year-old went off as the second favourite behind Regent’s Stroll, but Paul Nicholls’ market leader was never in contention as The New Lion roared home by almost five lengths from Wendigo without even needing to go through the gears.
His performance certainly didn’t go unnoticed, as esteemed owner JP McManus quickly snapped up the exciting horse from Darren Yates for an undisclosed fee.
The New Lion is now the favourite for the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle.
