The racing action at Leopardstown next week will be one of the sporting highlights of the Christmas season. 61,701 was the attendance in 2016 and with the weather forecast reasonably kind this year that number could rise again.
There will be changes with Hugh Cahill taking over RTÉ’s presentation duties alongside Ted Walsh and no Ruby Walsh in the saddle as he continues his recovery from a broken leg but there will be plenty of stars on show.
Sizing John, last year’s record-breaking winner of three Gold Cups at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown is the likely star attraction of the Leopardstown Christmas Chase while Faugheen will be a welcome return to Christmas racing in the Ryanair Hurdle on Day Four.
Samcro, Jezki and a host of other stars of the past present and future are ready to blow away the festive torpor with racing of the highest order across the seven Grade One races on the card with prizemoney totalling €1.3 million.
There will be plenty of fun along the way including the Top Oil Charity Mascot Race to raise funds for charities on the final day of the Festival. Each company involved in the mascot race will represent their chosen charity and the winner of the race will award the total prize charity fund.
Each company that enters the race must donate a minimum €800 to the charity prize fund and nominate their charity to compete with a company mascot or a designated character that will be provided for them in the race.
The winning company mascot will receive the total amount in the prize fund which it can then donate to its chosen charity.
“We understand that Christmas is a challenging time for many charities and with the return of Top Oil Charity Mascot Race at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, we are proud to enable companies and charities an opportunity to profile and fundraise,” said Gerard Boylan, Chief Executive of Top Oil.
