13:47 Leopardstown

Saturday 27 December 2025

All12:0512:3713:1213:4714:2215:0015:30

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 3m 54.6s

Koktail Brut²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| D

4/1

Useful hurdler. Career best when winning 8-runner Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle (8/13) at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 27 days ago by head from Blake. Trainer going well. Open to more improvement.

Form: 4435-11

Le Divin Enfant³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| D

13/2

Ex-French recruit who scored impressively in 17-runner novice hurdle at Thurles (16f, good to soft, 1/6) on IRE NH debut 30 days ago. Interesting prospect for top yard.

Form: 4-1

Love Me Tender⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| D

4/1

Maintained his unbeaten record when easily landing the odds in 6-runner Joe Mac Novices' Hurdle at Tipperary (16.1f, good to soft) 83 days ago by 6½ lengths from Whimsy. Has to be taken seriously in his bid to go 4-4.

Form: 111

Mister Pessimistic⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| D

16/1

Readily made it 2-2 this season with victory in 14-runner novice hurdle at Cork (16f, good to soft, 4/11) on hurdles bow 55 days ago. This demands lots more but he shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 1-11

Skylight Hustle²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

3/1

Son of Jukebox Jury who confirmed hurdling debut promise when easy winner of 24-runner maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft, 4/5) 28 days ago. Very much one to consider with plenty more to come.

Form: 14-21

Talk The Talk²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Ewing| T: J P O'Brien| D

9/2

Has made a highly promising start in this sphere and followed Limerick success with stylish victory in 6-runner novice hurdle at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 28 days ago. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 2-11

The Passing Wife²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| D

14/1

Useful hurdler who posted an excellent 1¼ lengths third of 8 to Koktail Brut in Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle (16/1) at Fairyhouse (16f, soft) 27 days ago. May well do better still. Considered.

Form: 23/11-33

Carrigmoornaspruce⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR: 127| BF| CD

12/1

Useful bumper winner. Impressive hurdling debut scorer at Listowel before a very good 1¼ lengths second of 9 to Full of Life in Grade 3 hurdle at Down Royal (16.9f, good to soft) 57 days ago. Open to more progress.

Form: 1321-12

Forecasts

Skylight Hustle (3/1), Love Me Tender (4/1), Koktail Brut (4/1), Talk The Talk (9/2), Le Divin Enfant (13/2), Carrigmoornaspruce (12/1), The Passing Wife (14/1), Mister Pessimistic (16/1)

A cracking renewal of this Grade 1 event and Willie Mullins' highly-promising LOVE ME TENDER is fancied to take this step up in class in his stride and extend his unbeaten run to four. Gordon Elliott's Skylight Hustle is feared most on the back of an impressive Fairyhouse victory, although Le Divin Enfant, Talk The Talk and Koktail Brut all have better days ahead of them and need factoring in too.