December 28 / 13.45 Leopardstown

13.45

Soft

Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £74369.75
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • 11 runners
ITV4
View Course
Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.40
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 226-O1

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Has his quirks but he's talented and he beat a few of these in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (2m4f, yielding), seeing the race out stronger than Bob Olinger who travelled best; no fluke about that, but whether he'll be in the same form here remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

15:05 Aintree

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

11yo who was running in the Stayers' Hurdle for the fifth time when making the breakthrough in that Cheltenham Grade 1 last month (3m, good); pulled up in this race on both visits to Aintree and 33-1 when winning at the Festival, but it was certainly no fluke judged on the pick of his career exploits and he's the one to beat if repeating that latest form.

7/1

1st

6

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Home By The Lee

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Two-time Grade 1 winner, latterly in 2024, who landed the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park in January, showing he retains considerable spark at the age of 11; he's run well in this race previously but has found Grade 1 races tough over the last 12 months; could have same problem today.

33/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 232-34

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Gave last year's winner Klassical Dream plenty to think about over this trip at Punchestown in April and he's lacked the gears to land a blow in two 2m4f events since returning, though the Hatton's Grace last time was a big ask and when third in the Lismullen at Navan he made a mistake at just the wrong time; should do better back up in trip but will need his best yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

30th Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:40 Galway

Ashdale Bob

11st 4lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Mrs John Harrington

Former Grade 2-winning hurdler and came good in second stint chasing last summer with wins at Kilbeggan (beating Thecompanysergeant) and a Grade 3 novice event at this venue; warmed up with fourth behind Gaelic Arc at Kilbeggan; other younger rivals are preferred.

20/1

1

16th Jun 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 51y

19:48 Kilbeggan

Ashdale Bob

11st 12lb

J: Conor Smithers

T: Mrs John Harrington

10yo a former Grade 2-winning hurdler and came good in second stint chasing last summer with wins in C&D beginners' and in Grade 3 Galway novice; stiffer task on return in February, none too fluent and soon beaten in Grade 2 Kempton novice; cheekpieces worn the last twice now discarded for handicap debut and may just need this.

10/1

5th

1

22nd Feb 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 1

13:50 Kempton

Ashdale Bob

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mrs John Harrington

10yo who returns from a break and possibly isn't the force of old (3m Grade 1 hurdle runner-up in December 2022) but he's won when back over fences for his last two starts, most recently a Grade 3 novice at Galway (2m2f, good) last August; not ruled out in view of his back-class.

5/1

50/1

  • Place: £9.00

Form: 3123-0 C BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Talented novice last season, ending his campaign with a good third in the 3m Grade 1 at Punchestown; still has plenty to find even on that form and he needs to bounce back from a very poor run in handicap company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Meet And Greet

11st 10lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

Has been chasing since pulled up in this race last year; 66-1 chance then; an unenviable task again; first-time cheekpieces.

66/1

2nd

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

16:07 Down Royal

Meet And Greet

11st 12lb

J: Phillip Enright

T: Oliver McKiernan

No wins since December 2024 and three chase efforts to date have not been super encouraging; beaten 23l in a Thurles handicap last time (2m5f, yielding); nonetheless, he's the second highest rated of the field here and possibilities if putting his best foot forward.

9/4

Form: F212-4 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 164

Form & Verdict
The 2020 renewal of this race gave him his first Grade 1 and he's since added two more at the Cheltenham Festival; won't be far away even if repeating his second in this 12 months ago and he was never going to be seen to best effect over 2m4f at Navan (behind three of these); expect a far more competitive showing this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 1f 56y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Flooring Porter

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner; has not reached quite the same level in five starts over fences but he still won the Kerry National at Listowel (3m, soft) when last seen in September 2024, making all and barely coming off the bridle; hard to weigh up after a long absence but conditions should suit and he'd be no forlorn hope if ready to roll.

12/1

3

25th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

16:20 Listowel

Flooring Porter

11st 4lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

Dual Stayers' Hurdle winner and fine second in latest renewal in March; had three runs over fences last season, all over 3m; won at Cheltenham, jumped poorly when not enjoying going right-handed at Punchestown, and then fair third in Leopardstown Grade 1; found 2m1f much too sharp at Killarney in July on handicap debut; trip will suit.

8/1

5th

2

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 0y

15:40 Killarney

Flooring Porter

11st 11lb

J: Keith Donoghue

T: Gavin Cromwell

raced in last, soon outpaced and detached, some headway when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 111P-2 BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Hugely fortunate when making it 3-3 over fences at last season's Cheltenham Festival and after flopping at Punchestown he finds himself back over hurdles for now (Grade 1-winning novice); looked sure to win the Lismullen at Navan before outstayed by Home By The Lee and he ran as though the race would bring him on; 3m shouldn't be an issue; big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:05 Punchestown

Bob Olinger

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Ended a sequence of seconds when beating Teahupoo in the 2025 Stayers' Hurdle; no match for Teahupoo at Leopardstown on seasonal debut; had that below-par rival behind when a fine third behind Home By The Lee in the Stayers'; continues to prosper despite his veteran status; can go close.

3/1

3rd

2

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

15:20 Cheltenham

Bob Olinger

11st 10lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Now 11 but he was as good as ever last March when winning this race by nearly 2l from Teahupoo (good to soft; also effective on soft); respectable second to that rival at Leopardstown in December on sole run this season and his excellent record at Cheltenham means he has to be in calculations.

7/1

25/1

Form: 5P6-36

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Another Grade 1 winner; last season started well but the wheels came completely off, including a non-completion in this race (25-1); got a soft lead up front when third in the Morgiana and then didn't run much of a race in the Hatton's Grace; very opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 3f 170y

14:12 Wexford

Saldier

11st 8lb

J: Kieran Callaghan

T: W P Mullins

Smart 155-rated hurdler, often highly tried; made a promising start to chasing when impressing with his jumping for odds-on win at Thurles in February; pulled up in Grade 3 contest at Naas in March; involved in controversial Killarney race last time, confirmed winner on the day, predictably lost race on appeal; needs to jump a bit better but sets a decent standard.

11/10

1st

2

14th May 2023

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 0y

15:55 Killarney

Saldier

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

prominent, mistake and lost ground 4th, soon in rear

Evs

6

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

16:17 Naas

Saldier

11st 0lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Classy sort was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and was a solid third to State Man in the Morgiana Hurdle in November; jumped well when winning on chasing debut at Thurles recently and should have improved from that; deteriorating ground not in his favour.

3/1

Form: P831-6 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 156

Form & Verdict
Last season's highlights came in competitive handicaps and he was pulled up in this race when a 22-1 chance; his prospects look no brighter this year after finishing behind a handful of these in Navan's Lismullen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

28th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 0f 0y

13:45 Leopardstown

Commander Of Fleet

11st 10lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

raced in second

33/1

6th

6

13th Nov 2022

Yielding

2m 4f 0y

13:55 Navan

Commander Of Fleet

11st 3lb

J: Sam Ewing

T: Gordon Elliott

held up in rear, pushed along when minor headway before 3 out, ridden and kept on after 2 out, switched right run-in, made no telling impression

14/1

Form: 71/6P- C

Last run: 335 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Has Grade 1 honours but a long time ago now and he's not been sighted since pulling up at Gowran in January, which came on the back of finishing tailed off in this race; difficult to warm to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Aug 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

18:30 Kilbeggan

Mr Adjudicator

11st 0lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Grade 1 winner at four and won valuable handicaps over hurdles and on the level at five; has obviously been terribly hard to keep sound and has only had four outings in five years, showing very little; better for a spin on the Flat at Galway and blinds are back on but very hard to know if the engine is still there.

7/1

15th

16

(15)

31st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

20:15 Galway

Mr Adjudicator

9st 11lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: W P Mullins

towards rear

10/1

Form: F27P-5

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Won the Grade 1 Drinmore over fences last season but has been hit and miss since then and connections have, for now at any rate, pulled the plug on his chase career after running poorly at Down Royal last month; has hurdle form in the book to give him a squeak but difficult to know where he is at the minute.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Beacon Edge

11st 12lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: J Newman

Best known as a very talented hurdler, also landing a Grade 1 novice chase in 2021; had jumping issues over fences subsequently and this is his first chase start since 2022; returned from some time off with a point win last month (3m, soft); it remains to be seen how much ability this 12yo retains but he's entitled to considerable respect on his hunter chase debut.

13/8

1st

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Beacon Edge

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Winner of nine races; 7-34 record over hurdles, including a four-runner Grade 2 event over 3m at Wetherby last October; ran creditably when seventh in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham; down the field at Aintree subsequently; trip is short of his best but he won a stronger race than this over 2m2f at Ballinrobe a year ago; amateur rider, 2-11 over hurdles.

11/8

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

16:55 Wexford

Beacon Edge

12st 0lb

J: Mr J M Halford

T: Gordon Elliott

Winner of nine races; 7-34 record over hurdles, including a four-runner Grade 2 event over 3m at Wetherby last October; ran creditably when seventh in the 26-runner Coral Cup at Cheltenham; down the field at Aintree subsequently; trip is short of his best but he won a stronger race than this over 2m2f at Ballinrobe a year ago; amateur rider, 2-11 over hurdles.

11/8

Form: 014-55 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Dual winner of the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and has run many a good race in Graded events, including a third to Flooring Porter in this two years ago; beat the champion stayer at Aintree in April and then wasn't far away at Punchestown; clearly has the form to feature, but it's been a very quiet start to this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Sire Du Berlais

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Enjoyed the season of his life last year, winning at Cheltenham and Aintree before finishing a close third in this race; only seen out twice this season and stayed on well to finish a decent fifth in the Stayers Hurdle; comes here fresher than most and no surprise should he play a big hand.

10/1

7

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:00 Punchestown

Sire Du Berlais

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Enjoyed the season of his life last year, winning at Cheltenham and Aintree before finishing a close third in this race; only seen out twice this season and stayed on well to finish a decent fifth in the Stayers Hurdle; comes here fresher than most and no surprise should he play a big hand.

10/1

Form: 223F-7 C

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Wins nothing on his Lismullen form when well behind a few of today's rivals but he was only 11-4 for that and it was clearly too bad to be true; mixed it with the best two-milers last season and was running a big race when falling late on in Aintree's Grade 1 2m4f; could yet develop into a top-notch stayer and is by no means discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

8th Apr 2026

Soft To Heavy

1m 5f 180y

17:25 Gowran Park

Zanahiyr

10st 1lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Gordon Elliott

Fine dual-purpose sort has 10 wins under all codes including a Bellewstown Flat handicap last August beating a below par Light Up The Dark; won the American Grand National when last seen; handles all ground; a big player.

5/2

7

(7)

26th Aug 2025

Yielding

2m 1f 110y

19:55 Bellewstown

Zanahiyr

11st 9lb

J: Mr J H Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful dual-purpose sort ran a solid fourth on the Flat at Killarney in May; won over fences at Galway last time after being unplaced in the Plate earlier in the week; should run well.

2/1

3

3rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 111y

14:55 Galway

Zanahiyr

11st 3lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

High-class hurdler; has won only one of his nine starts over fences, a Thurles beginners' event the season before last; fell at the fourth in the Ultima at Cheltenham on his final start last season; had a Flat run in May; third to Pinkerton in last year's Galway Plate; beaten almost 20l in seventh behind stablemate Western Fold in Wednesday's 2025 edition.

11/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €89.20
Straight Forecast €84.36
Trifecta €2839.00

Selections

RP Ratings (IRE):

Flooring Porter

SPOTLIGHT:

Bob Olinger

TOPSPEED:

Zanahiyr

POSTDATA:

Home By The Lee

The Irish Sun:

Flooring Porter