Irish racing tips: Tony Keenan best bets for Boxing Day

By Tony Keenan

Horse Racing

Fri December 26, 2025 · 2h ago

Tony Keenan had a 16/1 winner in his last preview and marks your card for today's key action from Leopardstown and Limerick.

Irish racing tips: Friday December 26

1pt Barbizon in 13:10 Leopardstown at 5/2 (General)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook | Free bets

St. Stephen’s Day is the single busiest day in the Irish racing calendar with three meetings in all, though in quality terms it is behind Britain today with its vintage King George, one that looks up there with any recent running, pre-race at least. Things will pick up over the next three days here however, especially at Leopardstown.

There is no shortage of maiden hurdles today with six of them across the three tracks, though most are more watching races. Willie Mullins starts off some interesting types, notably in the first two races at Leopardstown, and they will provide an early guide on the readiness of such runners, plenty of his novice hurdlers in need of the run recently.

The Signsplus Maiden Hurdle, the 12:58 at Limerick, might be the maiden hurdle of most betting interest. Willie Mullins again has the favourite, this one returning from a 376-day absence, though the second favourite Starting Fifteen has strong form claims. He has looked suspect on occasion in a finish, however, and that might open the door for Ravendark.

He was beaten a long way on debut last time but did travel well and many of the Gordon Elliott debutantes have been improving a lot for a run. That might especially apply to him as he was having his first run of any type last time.

The Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase (Leopardstown, 14:20) has been reinstated after a one-year hiatus and has drawn a good field even without Kopek Des Bordes, eight different trainers represented. Westport Cove looks a little overpriced having shown something new last time, battling well while handing a testing surface, and the return to better ground here should help. He is far from the best long-term prospect in the race but could be one for now.

The Grade 2 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle (13:10) at the same track might be the best race for a bet on a tricky day. I would have BARBIZON closer to Narciso Has in the betting than he currently is. Narciso Has looked to have every chance at Fairyhouse last month and while he should improve for his first start for Willie Mullins, Barbizon may well do likewise given how some of the Elliott debutantes have been coming on for a run.

He was an impressive winner at Navan on his first start for Elliott, travelling and jumping well, while the runner-up (re-opposes here) and the fifth have won since. Better ground should suit and the selection has lots of ability from the flat, rated 101 after just four runs and likely had more to give in that sphere.

The handicaps at Leopardstown look tough though One Last Tango has the profile of a horse aimed at the Racing Post Handicap Chase (14:55). He has an excellent record at the meeting and was better than his fourth placed finish in this race last year when coming home well off a steady pace. I am inclined to forgive his last run at Limerick where he raced wide on testing ground with this likely the target race.

In the 14:08 at Limerick, the Mr. Binman Mares Handicap Hurdle, Catchabird looks on a decent mark. She caught the eye over a stiff two miles at Navan last March before finding a steadily run race at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting against her.

She had her first run since last month at Punchestown and while only eighth shaped better than the result. Weak in the betting and held up, she made a decent move into contention before flattening out and that run should leave her spot on for this.

Published at 0830GMT on 26/12/25

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?