Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Leopardstown 13:55 €150,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m7f80y, Class 1  |
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With Teahupoo reminding everyone of his talent at Fairyhouse, the focus for owner Brian Acheson now shifts to what lies ahead over Christmas, as he awaits the return of Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point and the reigning Stayers’ Hurdle hero Bob Olinger.
🔥 BOB OLINGER IS HIS NAME.
— Road To Cheltenham (@RoadCheltenham) March 13, 2025
THREE-TIME CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL WINNER.pic.twitter.com/j9bJPsrl57
Acheson’s Robcour team has become something of a standard-setter in the staying hurdle ranks, and memories of March remain vivid: Henry de Bromhead’s Bob Olinger lowering Teahupoo’s colours to prevent a Festival double in what was another memorable afternoon at Prestbury Park.
Now, with Teahupoo having secured his third Hatton’s Grace, the attention turns to the packed festive programme. Bob Olinger is being primed for either Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle on December 29 or a return to Cheltenham for another tilt at the Relkeel Hurdle, a race he captured on New Year’s Day in 2024.
“Bob Olinger is in great form and he will be out either at Leopardstown at Christmas or Cheltenham,” said Acheson.
“We’ve got a bit of a debate going on because we have Irish Point to come out as well and one will go Leopardstown and the other to the Relkeel, which is a race we sponsor and always try to have something for.
“We had a great day with Bob Olinger in the Relkeel the other year, it’s a very special race that has had some great winners down the years and we try to support it as much as we can.”
Both Teahupoo and Bob Olinger have enjoyed their Festival triumphs, but it is worth remembering that Irish Point chased home State Man in the 2024 Champion Hurdle before an uncharacteristic run in the French equivalent later that season. Having been off the track since, he is eagerly awaited by connections.
Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle
2m7f80y, Race Value: €150,000, Grade 1
17 entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 27/13- Ballyadam 10 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
2 2152-2 Ballyburn 7 11-10 W P Mullins
3 2/221- Bob Olinger 10 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
4 P57-66 Buddy One 8 11-10 Paul John Gilligan
5 545-11 Colonel Mustard 10 11-10 Mrs Lorna Fowler
6 8-7145 Hewick 10 11-10 John Joseph Hanlon
7 /2719- Hiddenvalley Lake 8 11-10 Henry De Bromhead
8 11UP6- Home By The Lee 10 11-10 Joseph O'Brien
9 21112- Honesty Policy 5 11-10 Gordon Elliott
10 122/7- Irish Point 7 11-10 Gordon Elliott `
11 /66P-U Mystical Power 6 11-10 W P Mullins
12 40-124 Rocky's Diamond 5 11-10 Declan Queally
13 2F1611 Tackletommywoowoo 5 11-10 Declan Queally
14 /221-1 Teahupoo 8 11-10 Gordon Elliott
15 112F-2 The Yellow Clay 6 11-10 Gordon Elliott
16 1433-3 Jetara 7 11-3 Mrs John Harrington
17 2-2212 Mozzies Sister 6 11-3 Declan Queally
