After over indulging on turkey, endless Christmas repeats and the bottomless tin of roses, you are going to need some air. One of the best reasons to venture off the sofa is the annual Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse.
The event, which runs from 26-29 December, has become one of the biggest event on the Irish racing calendar and draws people from across the country and beyond.
Not just a means of escaping the relatives, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is one of the cheapest ways of getting yourself at a major racing meet.
The line-up
Day One: Bord na Mona Day
Bord na Mona Day falls on St Stephens’ Day, and is one of the best days to go racing over the Christmas period.
It includes the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase (Grade 1) and the Bord na Mona Fire Magic Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2).
Previous winners of the Grade One chase include, the great Danoli, the legendary Moscow Flyer and in 2009 Sizing Europe was victorious before going on to claim top honours at the Cheltenham Festival.
Day Two: Paddy Power Day
The elite of the 2m chasing division will converge on Leopardstown for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (Grade 1), where again Moscow Flyer features on the previous roll of honour. The prestigious Paddy Power Handicap Chase sees some 30 horses race while the Grade 1 PaddyPower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle should be another one to watch.
Day Three: Lexus Chase Day
One of the most popular races on the Irish calendar is without doubt the Grade 1 Lexus Chase. Some of the best staying chasers will head to Foxrock to compete in front of a heaving crowd for the third day of the Christmas Festival.
The race has gone for export to England for the last four-years, but even just a glimpse of the roll of honour tells you all you need to know about the depth in class this race attracts – Denman, Best Mate and Imperial Call – all Gold Cup winners.
The chief supporting race on the card is the Grade 1 Fort Leney Novice Chase for the staying novices, a race won in the last two years by Noel Meade.
Day Four: Festival Hurdle Day
The Leopardstown Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle, a Grade 1 hurdle over two miles, has thrilled on a regular basis over recent years.
Istabraq has been one of the most, if not the most, iconic figures in jump racing over the last couple of decades and he made this race his own winning it four times. He fell on a fifth occasion in between when 1/4 favourite, which Moscow Flyer duly took him up on.
Battles between Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca, Macs Joy and Harchibald have warmed the souls in one of the coldest months, and a whole host of Grade One winners will gather again this year.
Accommodation
Not being based in the capital is no excuse – a number of Dublin hotels are running offers that coincide with the event. Here are a few Hotels.com put us on to:
Three-star Bewleys Hotel Leopardstown
Prices from €61 per night per room between 26-29 December
This three-star is just off the M50 interchange, and a stone’s throw from Leopardstown Racecourse. It’s easy to find and one of Dublin’s most accessible hotels.
Four-star Stillorgan Park Hotel
Prices from €77 per night per room between 26-29 December
The Stillorgan Park has extensive restaurant and bar facilities along with plenty of off-road car parking. It is situated on the N11 close to Leopardstown Racecourse and runs door-to-door shuttle bus transport each day.
Four-star Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel
Prices from €135 per night per room between 26-29 December
This opulent, historically notable hotel is situated at the top of the stunning Killiney Hill, overlooking Dublin Bay. The 18 Century castle holds two restaurants, bars – including the atmospheric Dungeon Bar and impressive fitness facilities.
Five-star Merrion Hotel
Prices from €140 per night per room between 26-29 December
The Merrion Hotel occupies four Georgian townhouses dating back to 1760. It was converted into a five-star hotel in 1997, when a garden wing, marble lobby floor and one of Ireland’s finest private art collections were added.
It is located in the heart of Dublin opposite the Museum of Natural History and close to Trinity College, the National Gallery and Grafton Street.
Prices quoted above are via hotels.com
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