Gaelic Warrior on course for clash with fellow Cheltenham Festival winner as fields for Leopardstown’s festive races take shape

Bookmakers believe Gaelic Warrior is Jonbon's biggest threat at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but the Arkle winner could face last season's Champion Chase hero on his reappearance in this month's Paddy's Rewards Club Chase. 

Gaelic Warrior has been the subject of much talk already this season having been removed from the King George VI Chase as ante-post favourite in preference of a two-mile chase campaign, and he could race outside of novice company for the first time over fences at Leopardstown on December 27.

The triple Grade 1 winner is a best-priced 7-2 shot for the Champion Chase behind the 5-2 market leader Jonbon, and his claims would strengthen for the contest were he to defeat last season's winner Captain Guinness, who was one of ten potential rivals left in the race on Wednesday. 

Captain Guinness makes up a strong team against Gaelic Warrior, with Found A Fifty, Banbridge and Marine Nationale also adding further lustre to the race.

Willie Mullins could also run Dinoblue, Blue Lord and Gentleman De Mee. Solness was supplemented for the race, while Senecia and Visionarian were also left in.

Salvator Mundi: favourite for the Supreme Novices' HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

On the same day, Mullins may take the wraps off the Supreme favourite Salvator Mundi, who remains in contention for the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

The race has previously kickstarted the careers of Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Sizing John, while Mullins' Appreciate It was the last horse to win it before going on to success in the festival opener in 2020.

Salvator Mundi made his first start for the trainer when sixth to Majborough in the Triumph Hurdle in the spring before winning a Tipperary maiden hurdle by 62 lengths in May.

He could face as many as six horses from within his own stable, including Ballygunner Castle, Karafon and Karniquet, while Gordon Elliott could run Romeo Coolio, The Yellow Clay, Bleu De Vassy and Casheldale Lad. 

Impaire Et Passe: another key festive runner for Willie MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The action on December 26 will also be informative for Mullins, with Impaire Et Passe set to take on Better Days Ahead, Croke Park and Stellar Story in the Grade 1 Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase.

Nine horses remain in contention for the contest, including High Class Hero, Buddy One, Quai De Bourbon, Search For Glory and Waterford Whispers.

The Grade 2 O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle will begin to make sense of this year's juvenile division, with Willy De Houelle a possible runner as well as unbeaten winners Kurasso Blue, Lady Vega Allen and Zaynab.

Willy De Houelle was demoted from favourite to third best in the Triumph betting after finishing second to Naturally Nimble when odds-on for a Fairyhouse Grade 3 at the beginning of the month.

Elsewhere on the card, the 2m maiden hurdle could play host to the hurdling debut of Barry Connell's dual bumper William Munny. Redemption Day, who beat him in Grade 1 company at Punchestown in May, is among his possible rivals.

Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (Leopardstown, December 27)
Paddy Power: 11-10 Gaelic Warrior, 9-4 Found A Fifty, 6 Marine Nationale, 10 Dinoblue, Captain Guinness, Banbridge, 20 Solness, Gentleman De Mee, 25 Blue Lord, 66 Visionarian, 150 Senecia

Read these next:

Kia Joorabchian set to complete Newmarket yard purchase next month - and hopes investment can provide boost to British racing 

'They've gifted him the race more or less' - amateur jockey scores on second ride over hurdles after building up 30-length lead 

WATCH: join Johnny Dineen and David Jennings for episode six of Upping The Ante featuring 10-1 and 50-1 selections 

The Racing Post Annual 2025 is out now! This exciting review of the racing year has 208 colour pages packed with the best stories and is beautifully illustrated with stunning images. The perfect gift at £19.99. To order, click here or call 01933 304858.