Racing Post to sponsor new Grade 1 showpiece on opening day of Leopardstown's Christmas festival

The Racing Post will sponsor the 3m Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown's Christmas festival for the next four years. It coincides with the race moving to St Stephen's Day to become the showpiece on day one of the four-day extravaganza.

The race, which will be known as the Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase, has been won by some household names over the years with Dorans Pride, Nick Dundee, Carlingford Lough, Our Duke, Delta Work and Monkfish all appearing on the roll of honour, while last year's contest saw Grangeclare West beat Corbetts Cross and Flooring Porter in a race that has worked out particularly well.

The Racing Post has been the main sponsor of Leopardstown's card on December 26 since 2010 and, despite the Grade 1 novice chase over 2m1f being axed by Horse Racing Ireland in an attempt to improve the competitiveness of the top-tier jump races, the company has continued its association with the card.

Tim Husbands, CEO of Leopardstown, said: "We are delighted to renew our partnership with the Racing Post to remain title sponsors of the Racing Post Day on December 26.

"This year will be the 14th year of our partnership with Racing Post. Their ongoing support of Leopardstown racecourse and Irish racing is greatly appreciated. We look forward to an exciting inaugural Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase and a long and successful partnership with the Racing Post."

Willie Mullins has won the race for three of the last four years with Monkfish, Gaillard Du Mesnil and Grangeclare West and it will be interesting to see whether the champion trainer goes down the three-mile route with Ballyburn, who could potentially be an ideal type for the race.

Gordon Elliott, who won the race three years in a row between 2017 and 2019 with Shattered Love, Delta Work and Battleoverdoyen, would appear to have plenty of potential representatives for the event, including Croke Park, Stellar Story and Better Days Ahead.

The Racing Post's Ireland editor Richard Forristal said: "The Racing Post is thrilled that this opportunity has presented itself to maintain our long and valued association with Leopardstown, particularly on a day that is such a traditional staple of the festive season for so many racegoers and racing fans.

"Identifying the elite staying chasing stars of the future is at the heart of every National Hunt purist's passion, so being associated with a race of such calibre is really satisfying for us. Its prestigious roll of honour speaks for itself and we look forward to celebrating the next generation of superstars over the next four years."

New-look Leopardstown Christmas festival schedule

December 26

12.00: TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle (2m, 4yo)
12.35: Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle (2m, 5yo+)
1.10: The Leopardstown Juvenile Hurdle (2m, Grade 2)
1.45: Careers@dornangroup.com Novice Handicap Hurdle (2m)
2.20: Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase (3m, Grade 1)
2.55: Racing Post Handicap Chase (2m1f)
3.30: Race And Stay Flat Race (2m)

December 27

12.05: Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle (2m, 3yo)
12.35: Paddy Power Beginners Chase (2m1f)
1.10: Paddy Power Rewards Club Chase (2m1f, Grade 1)
1.45: Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (2m, Grade 1)
2.20: Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle (2m)
3.00: Paddy Power Chase (3m)
3.30: Paddy Power Flat Race (2m4f)

December 28

12.15: Savills Maiden Hurdle (2m4f)
12.50: Mercedes Benz South Dublin Hurdle (2m4f)
1.25: Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase (2m5f)
2.00: Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle (2m7f, Grade 1)
2.35: Savills Chase (3m, Grade 1)
3.05: Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2m7f)
3.40: Midland Legal Solicitors INH Flat Race (2m)

December 29

12.10: Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle (2m4f)
12.45: Beat the Bank.ie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle (2m4f, Grade 3)
1.20: Adare Manor Handicap Chase (2m5f)
1.55: Matheson Hurdle (2m, Grade 1)
2.30: Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle (3m)
3.05: SIS Irish EBF Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
3.40: Plusvital Flat Race (2m)

(Race order and times subject to change)

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