Christmas 2025 Review

Dry weather and big crowds were the key theme over the Christmas period, leading to some decent action on the track. In this lengthy post, I'll look into some of the performances into more depth, using time comparisons at the main meetings.

Kempton - 26th December - Chases

A memorable renewal of the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day saw The Jukebox Man come out on top in a bunch finish. The theme of all chases on the day was slowly-run races and quick finishes. There is no doubt that this played to the winner's strengths. His last 2 wins - in the Kauto Star Chase on this day a year ago and last time at Haydock were also slowly run affairs. He has yet to be really tested in strongly run race, however he showed great heart to fight back once headed. Banbridge bounced back to his best in producing a performance as good as his win in this last year. It looks to be top quality form and the horse I would be most interested in is Jango Baie. Despite winning the Arkle, I don't think he was suited to the slower pace and sprint finish. He didn't have the best position throughout the race and I believe he is an out and out stayer, who would be my selection for the Gold Cup.

Kempton - 26th December - Hurdles

The hurdles card at Kempton on Boxing Day saw the return of Sir Gino, who maintained his unbeaten record with a relatively easy success. Returning to hurdles after a short-lived, but successful, novice chase campaign is a fairly unusual move, and not one I am totally convinced by. The thinking behind the decision is based on the potential weakness of the 2 mile hurdle division, but his chasing debut could not have been more impressive. The time of his win in the Christmas Hurdle definitely looks more 'solid' than 'spectacular' and the best price of 11/8 for the Champion Hurdle looks remarkably short.

Leopardstown - 26th December - Hurdles

Four hurdle races over 2 miles at Leopardstown on Day 1 of their Christmas meeting gave plenty of opportunities for comparison and, perhaps surprisingly, it was the juvenile Narciso Has who was able to clock the best time. The pace of the race was strong throughout, enabling the impressive time to be set. Of course, had he stayed up, it is quite likely El Carios would have bettered this time, in the maiden hurdle won by Murat, but there was not much between the 2 races. The likely went slightly too quickly in the middle stages of El Carios' race and it is reasonable to assume he would have won by around 5 lengths, putting him on par with the performance of Narciso Has. With an eye of Cheltenham, Narciso Has is of interest for the Triumph Hurdle. I would not discount El Carios, but generally it takes a better performance to win a Supreme than a Triumph, and with both horses a similar price for their respective race, Narciso Has would be my choice. I will also give another positive mention to Mange Tout, who I highlighted when she beat Narciso Has at Fairyhouse last time. The run of Ballyfad is also interesting, off a slow gallop he rapidly put his maiden hurdle to bed and has a lot of potential.

Leopardstown - 26th December - Chases

Romeo Coolio added another Grade 1 success, this time dropped back to 2 miles, in what was visually his least impressive performance of his chase career. It was a race run at a steady enough early gallop but he quickened well enough. He might 'get away with it' in a quickly run Arkle, but ultimately he will be seen to his best over 2 and a half miles and further.

Leopardstown - 27th December - Hurdles

Talk The Talk looked to be coming with a winning run in the Grade 1 novice hurdle, before falling and gifting the race to Skylight Hustle. The overall form looks decent, especially when allowing for how far Talk The Talk could have won by. I don't think we have seen enough to rush into backing him next time, but he is certainly well regarded and full of potential.

Leopardstown - 27th December - Chases

It was a fairly dramatic of the 2 mile Grade 1 chase which saw Solness retain his title. The race will be remembered for the very significant mistake made by Marine Nationale, however, and ultimately how close he came to winning. It was a performance good enough to reclaim position at head of the market for the Champion Chase, but his current price looks about fair to me. Kargese stepped up from her seasonal reappearance to record a nice time, which compares well to Solness. She was a relative 15 lengths behind Solness in the early stages, but set a strong pace in the middle and final stages of the race and was around 8 lengths quicker for these sections. It is a strong looking Arkle but she has firmly thrown her hat into the ring.

Leopardstown - 28th December - Hurdles

A visually excellent performance from Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle, which was backed up solidly on the clock too. They went a strong gallop throughout, with all the other runners finishing the race slowly and Teahupoo being the only one who maintained the pace. It was a good 30 lengths quicker than the 115 rated handicap winner The Nagger Reidy, and proved he is very versatile with regards to the going. Ballyburn looked like he didn't stay and may not be tested over 3 miles next time. Under different race circumstances, and a slower gallop, he may well prove he can be effective at 3 miles, however his low head carriage would be a concern.

Leopardstown - 28th December - Chases

The Savills Chase saw the well backed Affordale Fury show an improved level of form to hold off I Am Maximus and defending champion Galopin Des Champs. Galopin looked to be coming with a winning run, like he has done so often at Leopardstown, but was unable to quicken with his usual zest, likely due to a combination of lack of race fitness and age. There were only 2 chases on the card, so not much opportunity for time comparisons, but the performance of Koktail Divin looks very impressive. Allowed to dictate, he set a steady pace and was a comparative 9 lengths behind Affordale Fury at 3 out. From this point, he gained 19 lengths on the Savills winner, showing a significantly improved level of form. The Browns at Cheltenham looks like it'll be the next step and at decent odds, looks worth taking a chance on.

Leopardstown - 29th December - Hurdles

The final day of Leopardstown's Christmas festival saw Lossiemouth grind out another Grade 1. The race was run at a strong gallop, a set-up that does not necessarily show her at her very best. Despite her dominance over 2 and a half miles, speed is more her game, particularly when she is able to quicken of a slow gallop. She showed this last spring, with dominant victories in the Mares Hurdle and Cheltenham and Aintree Hurdle, where her finishing speed percentage was over 110%. She deserves to take a chance in the Champion Hurdle, but will need the race set up to suit, with a slow pace, for her to been seen at her best. With the race looking like it will be a substandard renewal at this stage, this is a definite possibility, but enough doubts remain about her participation in the race.