13:55 Leopardstown

Sunday 28 December 2025

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 49.20s

Ballyburn²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C

13/8

High-class novice hurdler in 2023/24. Also a Grade 1 novice chase winner last season and made a very good return to hurdling when only narrowly denied by Teahupoo in Hatton's Grace on reappearance, looking unlucky having met some interference. Leading claims.

Form: 12152-2

Bob Olinger²⁹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 164

11/1

High-class hurdler who was last seen winning 13-runner Stayers' Hurdle (8/1) at Cheltenham (3m, good to soft) in March by 1¾ lengths from Teahupoo. Prominent showing likely if resuming in similar form.

Form: 122/221-

Home By The Lee^v²⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 160| CD

12/1

Winner off this race in 2022 and 2024, beating Bob Olinger by 6 lengths last year. Below-form 13 lengths sixth of 11 to Teahupoo in Champion Stayers' Hurdle (9/1) at Punchestown (23.5f, good to soft) when last seen in May. Visored first time on return.

Form: 611UP6-

Mystical Power^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151

40/1

Smart hurdler. Running well when unseated last in Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, soft, 11/1) 28 days ago won by Teahupoo. although he was weakening at the time.

Form: 11/66P-U

Rocky's Diamond^v1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| OR: 154

16/1

Smart hurdler. 8 lengths fourth of 5 to Oscars Brother in Florida Pearl Novices' Chase (15/8) at Punchestown (24.2f, soft) 36 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles. Visor on first time.

Form: 140-124

Teahupoo²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 162| D

5/2

Very smart hurdler who added to his excellent record fresh when edging out Ballyburn to land a third successive win in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse 4 weeks ago. Should go well again.

Form: 11/221-1

The Yellow Clay⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 156| BF| C| D

4/1

Very smart hurdler. 8/15, respectable 2¾ lengths second of 5 to Colonel Mustard in Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20.2f, heavy) 41 days ago.

Form: 1112F-2

Jetara^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Gilligan| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 145| C| D

25/1

Smart hurdler. Course winner. Seven wins from 24 NH runs. 10/3, 6¾ lengths third of 5 to Colonel Mustard in Lismullen Hurdle at Navan (20.2f, heavy) 41 days ago, finishing tired. Bit to find here.

Form: 31433-3

Forecasts

Ballyburn (13/8), Teahupoo (5/2), The Yellow Clay (4/1), Bob Olinger (11/1), Home By The Lee (12/1), Rocky's Diamond (16/1), Jetara (25/1), Mystical Power (40/1)

BALLYBURN can turn around last month's Hatton's Grace form with Teahupoo and cement his position at the head of the market for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Last season's Stayers' Hurdle winner Bob Olinger should also be on the premises, while Home By The Lee's record in this race makes him a dangerous one to discount.