Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle
Grade 1, Leopardstown 13:55
€150,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m 7f 80y, Class 1  
Sunday 28th December 2025

1 Teahupoo 5/2
2 Bob Olinger 11/1
3 Ballyburn 13/8F
8 ran Distances: 7l, 7l, 1¼l
Time: 5m 49.20s (slow by 4.70s)

Teahupoo laid down a powerful marker in the staying division with a commanding display, asserting his authority in emphatic fashion.

Gordon Elliott’s charge, partnered by Jack Kennedy, was out to confirm the form with Ballyburn after their pulsating clash in last month’s Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, when only a nose separated the pair at the line. This time, there was no such narrow margin.

Ballyburn was sent off the 13-8 favourite to turn the tables and, for a brief moment, it appeared another gripping duel might unfold as the two moved smoothly past the early pacesetter Rocky’s Diamond. However, it quickly became apparent that Teahupoo, at 5-2, was travelling with far greater ease. When Kennedy asked him to stretch, he responded decisively, drawing clear in trademark relentless fashion.

Teahupoo galloped right through the line to score by seven lengths, with Bob Olinger staying on strongly for second, a further seven lengths ahead of Ballyburn in third.

Elliott was full of admiration for his stable star afterwards.

“He was good. You’d be nervous looking at him halfway through a race as he always looks like he’s going as fast as he can, but that’s the way he races.

“He’s a good horse and the faster they went the better. He can do it every way.

“Years ago when you were looking at Big Buck’s and Inglis Drever, they always said they were behind the bridle the whole way and that’s the exact same way that he races.

“He’s a great horse and we’re lucky to have him.

“Jack was delighted and said he felt as good as ever. He didn’t do a lot when he got there! He pulls himself up but that’s what he is.”

Asked whether Teahupoo was coping better with his racing this season, Elliott was keen to put the performance into a broader context.

“I don’t know if he ever wasn’t taking them that well. Sometimes we can be guilty of not letting people see these horses enough.

“You can see the cheer he got when he came in, that’s what people need to see – these good horses coming out.

“It was a big rematch with Ballyburn and if Ballyburn had won, he would have gotten as big a reception because he’s a champion as well. We can’t forgot about Bob Olinger, he’s some horse as well.”

The result has had a significant impact on the Cheltenham markets, with Teahupoo now the 7-4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Stayers’ Hurdle. Bob Olinger has been trimmed to 10-1 from 14-1 as he bids to defend the crown he claimed last year, while Ballyburn eases out to 16-1, having previously headed the betting at 11-4.

BoyleSports

Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle
2m 7f 80y, Race Value: €150,000, Grade 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Teahupoo 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 5/2
2 7 Bob Olinger 2 10 11-10 Henry De Bromhead Darragh O'Keeffe 11/1
3 7 Ballyburn 7 11-10 W P Mullins Paul Townend 13/8F
4 1¼ Home By The Lee 10 11-10 Joseph O'Brien J J Slevin 12/1
5 18 The Yellow Clay 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott Sam Ewing 4/1
6 15 Rocky's Diamond 5 11-10 Declan Queally Mr D L Queally 16/1
7 7½ Jetara 7 11-3 Mrs John Harrington Danny Gilligan 25/1
8 7½ Mystical Power 6 11-10 W P Mullins Mark Walsh 40/1