Christmas Festival Leopardstown betting tips and race rundown (Friday)

St. Stephen’s Day at Leopardstown is one of the highlights of the Christmas racing calendar and Friday’s card doesn’t disappoint.

Big fields, deep races and plenty of unknowns make it a proper punters’ playground, with the festive crowds adding to the buzz as the action gets rolling in Dublin.

There’s no shortage of betting angles across the card, from graded performers to those tricky handicaps that can make or break your Christmas bankroll.

I’ve pulled together the key Leopardstown tips, trends and market movers to help you attack a cracking day of Boxing Day racing.

Top Christmas Festival Leopardstown Weekend offer

Christmas Festival Leopardstown (Friday) tips

• 12.05 Ballyfad – NEXT BEST
• 12.35 El Cairos – NAP
• 1.10 Barbizon
• 1.45 Spinola Bay
• 2.20 Romeo Coolio – 8/13 with Betfred
• 2.55 Trasna Na Pairce
• 3.30 Heldam

*odds provided are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival on Friday (26th December)

Find my top tips for today’s racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

12.05 TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle 2m

It has all the makings of a big day for Gordon Elliot and Jack Kennedy and they could get off to a perfect start here with the talented BALLYFAD.

This 4yo is a perfect 3-3 to date going unbeaten in bumpers. He has shown a good attitude and now sent over hurdles brings a lot of potential to the table. He is likely to be a warm order but that is probably with good reason.

Mullins saddles Leader D’allier who beat Karla Conti in France and could emerge as the main danger on hurdles debut.

Henry de Bromhead also sends a strong team to Leopardstown on St. Stephen’s Day and Tim Toe shouldn’t be discounted as he has experience on side finishing second on hurdles debut at Gowran and can improve as well.

12.35 Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle 2m

A big field but I have no doubt the one to beat is EL CAIROS for Gordon Elliot. This 5yo ran out an impressive winner on debut in a bumper at Newbury before finishing fifth in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival behind Bambino Fever.

Again he ran a big race in defeat second to Baron Noir at Punchestown and could be an exciting recruit now sent hurdling for the first time.

Doctor Du Mesnil represents the Mullins battalion and he was impressive winning a bumper at Cork by 11 lengths but he would have to be above average to trouble the selection who has really solid form.

Murat bumped into one at Naas but the form has been letdown since and he will need to settle if he is to get involved at the business end here.

1.10 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

• 7 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites
• 7 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before
• 4 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 previous win in a Graded race
• 10 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 run that season

Gordon Elliot vs Willie Mullins is the story of the day and it continues here. BARBIZON is the one I like in the Gigginstown colours.

He thrashed Ben Hur at Navan and that horse has since won at Fairyhouse to frank the form. He is open to further improvement and looks a horse to keep on side for now.

Narciso Has was a promising second on debut for this yard at Fairyhouse and should improve on that. A mistake at the last cost him any chance so if he jumps better he should run well.

Ben Hur also runs in here and while he is strictly held by the selection he is clearly progressive and could run well again too.

1.45 E-Auctions Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m

Despite lacking fluency over the last SPINOLA BAY ultimately won with something to spare at Navan. He defied a 421-day absence too so is entitled to strip a lot fitter here.

This is competitive but he is on the up and should get seriously competitive despite a rise in the weights.

Powerful is likely to go off favourite after winning narrowly at Punchestown. He has untapped potential so if improving again is definitely a big player for Jessica Harrington but the yard have been quiet.

Another one to note is True Testimony who has plenty of experience on side and also arrives in winning form.

2.20 Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m1f

• 9 of the last 11 winners were aged 4 or 5
• 10 of the last 11 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
• 7 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
• 3 of the last 11 winners were rated 148 or higher (8 of 11 didn’t have a rating)

I have been so impressed with ROMEO COOLIO since going over fences. He danced in on chase debut at Down Royal and then was even more impressive at Fairyhouse last month.

He is back in trip here but that doesn’t look an issue and with more to come I think he’ll come out on top again and complete the hat-trick against these.

Salvator Mundi was turned over on chase debut at Thurles and while he could still have potential in this sphere I’d pass him over on this occasion as he is a quirky individual.

July Flower impressed beating Be Aware at Cheltenham and with more to come could emerge as the danger but she is up against it to beat this favourite.

Bet on ROMEO COOLIO to win at 8/13 with Betfred

2.55 Racing Post Handicap Chase 2m1f

This is probably the most competitive race on the card and a chance is taken on TRASNA NA PAIRCE as he has been shaping like his turn might be near again.

He was a good fourth at Down Royal beaten just 4 lengths and then ran even better when runner-up at Clonmel at the start of the month. He is only 2lb higher and should be bang there once more.

Seskin Flash scored at Downpatrick and then was a good third at Down Royal in front of the selection.

He hasn’t been seen since though and the lack of a run against race-fit rivals is a bit of a worry especially if he goes off favourite. Release The Beast ran well at Wexford and could also have a squeak at a bigger price.

3.30 Race And Stay Flat Race 2m

It has already been a really good season for Bryan Drew and it could yet get better as HELDAM looks a promising recruit for Willie Mullins.

This 4yo by Doctor Dino showed a good attitude to win an Irish point before being snapped up by connections. I expect him to make a winning start under Rules here and likely justify favouritism.

Premier Division was third on debut in a bumper at Fairyhouse and looks likely to build on that encouraging introduction.

Minella Machine could also have a bright future for Henry de Bromhead and should also be noted especially if attracting support in the betting.

My top tip for Friday’s racing at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival

I’m hoping it’s a big day for Gordon Elliot and Jack Kennedy and if it is this treble will be worth playing at double figures. BALLYFAD looks a great bet to make a winning start over hurdles in the opener as does EL CAIROS in the second race on the card. ROMEO COOLIO has looked a different horse since sent over fences and is worth including to complete the hat-trick.

Bet a Win Treble on BALLYFAD, EL CAIROS and ROMEO COOLIO at 10/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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