The Cross Country Chase was taken impressively by the Gordon Elliott trained and Gigginstown owned Favouri de Champdou who passed the line eight lengths clear under Jack Kennedy. The eleven-year-old veteran is now top priced 8/1 for the Cross Country at the Festival.

The Cotswold Chase was won by Irish trained Spillane’s Tower who saw off the brave L’Homme Presse. Trainer of the winner Jimmy Mangan said post-race his horse had ideal conditions on the day and expected a bold showing. Grey Dawning the Betfair Chase winner from last November ran rather flat and finished back in third beaten five lengths.

The International Hurdle turned into a rather non event when Sir Gino pulled up after 3 out and the race eventually went to The New Lion for Harry and Dan Skelton. The race was run at a dawdling pace and I am not too sure what to take from it. Sir Gino as is reported as I write this, has suffered a pelvic injury and is currently stable according to trainer Nicky Henderson. A sad day in many ways but thankfully the horse looks to be ok fingers crossed.

Next up the Cleeve Hurdle for the staying hurdlers and usually a good yardstick for the Stayers Hurdle itself. This race saw the emergence of another high calibre staying prospect for the Emma Lavelle outfit following on from her grand old stable star Paisley Park. Named Ma Shantou this seven-year-old gelding beat the Long Walk Hurdle winner Impose Toi seven lengths and made it three from four at Cheltenham, his only defeat coming in last year’s Albert Bartlett behind Jasmin De Vaux. He has gone up fifteen pounds in the handicap this season and has now proven his ability to compete at the top table.

Worth a good mention, earlier in the week saw the highlight of the jumps season at Gowran Park Home. By The Lea took the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin while the Grade 3 Thyestes Chase was won by the Gavin Cromwell trained Now Is The Hour who held off Better Times Ahead by a head! with an extraordinary nineteen lengths back to the third. An unlucky runner was the Willie Mullins trained Spanish Harlem who unseated his rider at the last when a length or more clear.

Sam Twiston- Davies rode a double for his father and brother on the card while the two-mile handicap hurdle saw places reversed from a valuable race at Ascot just before Christmas. Wilful was the winner in December but on this occasion the Tom Dascombe trained and David Bass ridden Hot Fuss battled hard to take revenge off the same mark while Wilful carried a seven-pound penalty for his previous victory. I think the form of this race will turn out to be good.

The second day saw the action transferred to Ascot and the card was competitive. The Juvenile Hurdle saw the Fay Bramley trained Winston Junior make all for an impressive win. The Grade 2 Mares Hurdle had only four runners and the outsider of the field prevailed. The Ben Clarke trained Ooh Betty made every yard under an inspired ride by Ben Jones to hold favourite La Conquiere by half a length.

The Sam Thomas trained Vincenzo deservedly took a nice prize here after honourable efforts at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power and more recently the December Gold Cup. The Grade 1 Clarence House Chase saw Il Etait Temps go off at 2/5. Thistle Ask made most until two out where the favourite fell under pressure after not jumping with any real fluency in the race. Jonbon who had dropped back to third came again to win going away under James Bowen. Nicky Henderson was visibly emotional post-race and was lovely to see.

Up at Haydock the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices Hurdle saw Old Park Star follow up his Kempton and Cheltenham victories by 18 lengths under Nico de Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson. This performance made the winner the 9/4 favourite for the festival opener, the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Only six runners went to post for the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase and this provided a thrilling finish when Imperial Saint just denied Richmond Lake by a neck. The Hobbs/White trained winner was superbly ridden by Callum Pritchard who won his last race 13 months ago off a four pounds lower mark.

Back to Windsor for the third and final day of the Berkshire Million Festival and the feature race was Fleur De Lys Chase. The eleven-year-old Protektorat made most over the two miles six-furlong trip under Harry Skelton for trainer Harry fending off Sean Bowen and Resplendent Grey. This victory made the winner pass the one million pound mark in career prize money! The Grade 2 Hampton Novice Chase provided another great finish when the Garry and Josh Moore trained Salver prevailed and justified favouritism under stable jockey Caoilin Quinn beating Doyen Quest four and a half lengths.

The concluding bumper saw another Skelton winner making it three on the card and the Major thinks the form of this race is strong. Watch out for the placed horses here!

The first Grade 1 at Leopardstown was the Christmas Hurdle for the stayers and for owners Robcor it turned out to be a great result as they owned the first two home namely the winner Teahupoo and runner-up Bob Olinger. This provided another nice winner for the Elliott /Kennedy combination. The Mullins trained favourite Ballyburn was well beaten in third. The Savills Chase saw the seasonal reappearance of Galopin Des Champs but the winner was the Noel Meade trained Affordale Fury who won well and landed a punt in the process. The winner jumped right a t some fences but bravely held on up the run in for jockey of the moment Sam Ewing.

Limerick’s most prestigious race on their calendar is the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase and Final Demand trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins landed the very prohibitive odds by eight lengths. Owners Doctor Caroline Tisdall and Brian Drew flew over for the day to see him win. Avery short price now for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Challow Hurdle at Newbury saw No Drama This End take the prize for Nicholls and Cobden. Probably Trials Day at the end of January at Cheltenham before a tilt at the Turners Novice Hurdle on day two of jumping’s showcase in March.

At Doncaster the Listed Silver Vase Mares Chase was won by Spindleberry. The Mullins Irish raider got the better of the front running Telepathique by six lengths.

At Leopardstown the Grade 3 Kerrymount Mares Hurdle was another winner for Elliott and Kennedy after Wodhooh continued her rich vein of form. The Mares Hurdle is the target. The December Hurdle saw Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead clash again and the former was a length too good at the line. That cements her place as second favourite for the Champion Hurdle behind Sir Gino.

A busy few days has seen top class action both in the UK and Ireland, roll on New Years Day for more of the same. Happy New Year and all the best from the Major!!

The King George at Kempton provided what many people consider to be one of the best National Hunt races ever! The Harry Redknapp owned, Ben Pauling trained and Ben Jones ridden The Jukebox Man prevailed by a nose from last years victor Banbridge with another nose back to Gaelic Warrior in third and half a length back to Jango Baie in fourth. A truly remarkable finish and a race for the ages. A magnificent advert for the sport and racing should be proud. I would imagine the first four home here will meet again in March in the Gold Cup with next years renewal currently wide open.

The Kauto Star Novices Chase saw an impressive winner in Kitzbuhel who made all under Paul Townend for trainer Wilie Mullins, He jumped for fun and ran the opposition into the ground and won two and a half lengths unchallenged. Sir Gino took the Christmas Hurdle for the same owners, the Donnelly’s, beating current Champion Hurdler Golden Ace and now heads Ante Post lists at around 13/8. This five-year-old is still unbeaten after seven races, six of which were in the UK.

Up at Aintree the Formby Novice Hurdle saw the one-time Supreme Novice favourite Mydaddypaddy beaten by the Harry Fry trained Idaho Sun who moved up to Grade 1 company after a facile Novice win at Bangor last month.

Over the water at Leopardstown the Racing Post Novice Chase was the feature. Romeo Coolio for Gordon Elliott scrambled home by half a length over what now looks likely to be an inadequate trip. He did knuckle down and deserves great credit after looking outpaced turning in to the straight. Two and half miles plus awaits I’d think. Earlier on the card the Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle went to the Willie Mullins trained and JP owned Narciso Has who won impressively under Danny Mullins by eleven lengths from outsider Adrienne. The Defender Novice Hurdle at Limerick went to another Gordon Elliot trained horse called Kazansky who won by a head under Danny Gilligan from local trainer Eric McNamara’s charge County Final.

Saturday 27^th saw lots of Graded action too. Ben Pauling and Ben Jones took another big race win when Mambonumberfive took the Wayward Lad Novice Chase by seven lengths, while we saw an equally impressive performance from Thistle Ask in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase for the Skeltons.

Over at Chepstow the Finale Juvenile Hurdle went to rookie trainer Chester Williams and provided him with his biggest career win to date. Tenter Le Tout followed up her Exeter win under Gavin Sheehan. The Gary and Josh Moore trained odds on favourite Macktoad was never going and it looked as though something was amiss. Time will tell…

The three miles and six furlongs of the Welsh National always takes some getting even on Good to Soft ground and the locals were treated to a Welsh winner courtesy of Haiti Couleurs who bounced back after a dismal effort in the Betfair Chase at Haydock when second favourite in the market. The 2025 National Hunt Chase winner and the Irish National winner earlier in the spring took up the running with a circuit to run under Sean Bowen.  Apart from a mistake three out he jumped well and had three lengths to spare at the line beating the northern raider O’Connell. Trainer Rebecca Curtis has handled this gelding so well and we would like to see him have a tilt at the Gold Cup, Grand National or both!

At Leopardstown the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase saw Solness take this for the second year running this time ridden by Sam Ewing deputising for JJ Slevin who was stood down after a fall. Hard game. As was last year, he ran prominently and kept wide of the field staying on bravely when challenged by Marine Nationale holding on by half a length. Congratulations to the owners and trainer Joseph O’Brien. The Future Champions Novice Hurdle was won readily in the end by Skylight Hustle for Gordon Elliott and Jockey Jack Kennedy. The Double Green owned Talk The Talk another Joseph O’Brien inmate looked to be the winner when travelling very nicely only to fall at the last. A very unlucky loser in my opinion.

The Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick was a nice winner for Henry De Bromhead after The Big Westerner took the honours under Mike O’Connor beating the Willie Mullins trained favourite Jade Du Grugy by three lengths.

The finale was a Listed Bumper and this contest went to the Chris Gordon runner and favourite Bass Hunter who held off the staying on Tally Ho Back who ran a really encouraging race for the Twiston -Davis partnership. The winner followed up his Newbury debut under rules under trainer’s son Freddie Gordon.

On to Saturday and the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle took centre stage. Owner JP McManus was doubly represented by Impose Toi who had been winning at Newbury and Aintree prior to this in a Grade 2 and a Handicap. His other contender was the Gordon Elliot trained Honesty Policy who has not been seen since the Punchestown Festival back in April where he finished second in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle behind Jasmin De Vaux. Impose Toi prevailed here by just over a length from the veteran Strong Leader to take the prize for Henderson and de Boinville with Jp’s other runner under Mark Walsh back in third.

The Premier Handicap, the Siver Cup went to Deep Cave who collared Leave Of Absence on the line to win a head. The winner owned by long standing owner Sue Howell was completing a hatrick after victories at Bangor and Aintree earlier in the year for trainer Christian Williams and jockey Jack Tudor.

The finale, another Premier Handicap this time over hurdles saw the Greatwood winner from Cheltenham Alexie sent off a short price for such a competitive affair. However, the O’Neil trained and ridden Wilful took the honours from outsider Hot Fuss winning 3 lengths with the favourite back in third.

Over the water at Thurles the Tom Cooper trained Amen Kate took the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle under Jack Kennedy.

At Haydock the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle saw Supreme Malinas hold on by the shortest of margins from Park Princess for Dan Skelton and rider Tristan Durrell. Worth a mention too were doubles on the card for trainers Harry Derham and Sam England.

Saturday and day two of the Newbury Coral Gold Cup meeting again saw the Jamie Snowden / Gavin Sheehan combination got off to a flyer when La Conquiere took the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle easily to justify favouritism. The Handicap Hurdle registered as the Gerry Fielden Hurdle was won nicely by Tutte Quanti for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden landing a punt in the process having been a much bigger price than the returned starting price of 85/40.

The Coral Gold Cup who to many is still referred to as the Hennessey was won by the fast-improving Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Panic Attack by six lengths. This victory was off a mark of 139 and it will be interesting to see how the Skeltons campaign the winner going forward.

Over at Fairyhouse Talk The Talk owned by the “double green” of Suede and Munir won the Grade 3 Hurdle by seven and a half lengths. Trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Sam Ewing this winner looks smart. Earlier on the card the Listed Handicap Chase was won by Drumgill for owner/trainer John Patrick Ryan.

Back in the UK at Newcastle, and the much-anticipated BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle provided a story than could not be written. At the second hurdle Constitution Hill led the way but blundered away his chance and fell again leaving The New Lion in front. He took up the running but at the fourth he wandered around and nearly ran out. The leader turned in and was given the office by Harry Skelton to go win the race using his proven stamina but jumping two out his mount edged left and fell to leave just three runners in contention going to the last.

Last year’s Champion Hurdler Golden Ace who couldn’t pick her feet up on her reappearance at Wetherby in a match went on to take this famous prize for Jeremy Scott and jockey Lorcan Williams. One and a half lengths and a neck were the distances back to the other two finishers Anzadam and Nemean Lion. A truly remarkable horse race!

BAR 1 the bookmakers sponsored the whole card at Fairyhouse on Sunday which included 2 Listed Races and 4 Graded Races, a fantastic day’s racing for all to enjoy.

The Listed Porterstown Chase over three miles and six furlongs was won by 3/1 favourite Better Times Ahead under Mark Walsh while the Listed Handicap Hurdle was won readily by the Willie Mullins trained Zillow under Paul Townend.

The Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle went to the unbeaten over hurdles Mange Tout for owners Robcour, trainer Elliott and jockey Kennedy. This victory set the tone as Gorden Elliot and Jack Kennedy went on to win the other three Graded Races.

The Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles went to the Gigginstown Stud owned Koktail Brut while the Grade 1s went to Romeo Coolio owned by KTDA Racing in the Drinmore Novice Chase who won by eight lengths. The stable stalwart Teahupoo won the Hattons Grace Hurdle by the smallest of margins from Ballyburn who was reverting back to the smaller obstacles. Judged on this will the runner up head for the Stayers Hurdle next March too?

After this afternoon Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy should take a bow. Outstanding training and riding.

The next race of real interest was the Graduation Chase which saw The Jukebox Man reappear after a lay off. Not seen for eleven months after taking the Kauto Star Novice Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day 2024 the Harry Redknapp owned and Ben Pauling trained gelding made all, jumped well and was never really threatened. A good performance I thought beating Iroko over two lengths.

The Betfair Chase a Grade 1 over 3 miles registered as the Lancashire Chase is always a good marker for the season and we saw a very impressive winner after Grey Dawning won without coming out of first gear. Last year he was runner up to Royale Pagaille but this year the first two places were reversed. Dan Skelton his trainer said all roads lead to the Gold Cup next March for which he is general 16/1 chance.

Over at Ascot, the Grade 2 1965 Chase was won impressively by Jango Baie for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville beating Gidleigh Park by nine lengths. All being well the King George next I would imagine. The other Grade 2 on the card was the Ascot Hurdle and produced another good winner in Irish raider Wodhooh. The Gordon Elliot trained and Danny Gilligan ridden mare was too classy for today’s opposition and found things easier than chasing home Lossiemouth at Aintree last Spring.

Over the water at Punchestown the above mentioned Lossiemouth beat a depleted field at prohibitive odds of 1/5 by 19 lengths in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle. The other feature saw Oscars Brother trained and ridden by brothers Conor and Daniel King respectively take the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase.

On to Sunday, over in Ireland the big race action did not disappoint!

The Listed Grabel Mares Hurdle saw the Paul Nolan trained Feet Of A Dancer take the honours comfortably by nine lengths under Sean O’Keeffe from Mozzies Sister. 5/6 favourite Fun Fun Fun disappointed for the Mullins team. The Craddockstown Novice Chase, a Grade 2 event over the minimum trip saw Mullins and Townend back on the scoresheet after Westport Cove snatched victory from Fleur In the Park by a neck in a tremendous finish.

Half an hour later the Feature of the two-day meeting was upon us. The John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase delivered again in spades as Gaelic Warrior set a proper gallop and looked to have most of his opponents under pressure. However, Fact To File took up the running narrowly just before the last and looked the winner to many. Gaelic Warrior lived up to his name and somehow fought back to snatch a victory that will be talked about for years to come by a neck with twenty-nine lengths back to third horse Fast Or Slow who was making his comeback after a lengthy layoff.

Some race and some brave talented horses to appreciate here.

Day one took place on Sunday and saw the meeting start with an impressive winner of the 3-Y-O Hurdle named Barbizon for owner Gigginstown Stud, Gordon Elliot and Danny Gilligan.

The first Graded action saw another winner with the same owner and trainer when Kalypsochance took the Monksfield Novice Hurdle this time under Jack Kennedy. This horse was beaten at Down Royal at odds of 1/5 on his debut over obstacles.

The other Grade 3 on the card was the Troytown Handicap Chase. Trainer Terence O’Brien saddled Answer To Kayf to win this prestigious race and it turned out to be a very emotional victory. Jockey John Shinnick delivered a great ride here as between 4 and 5 out he lost his position and looked well beaten. He led at the last and stayed on well to beat Yeah Man and Dunboyne.

The second day had 3 Graded Races on the card. The For Auction Novice Hurdle was won by the Declan Queally trained I’ll Sort That who made it 5 wins from 7 outings in his career to date. The Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle was taken by Colonel Mustard for trainer Lorna Fowler and partnered by John Shinnick who has had the best couple of days in the saddle. Finally, the Fortria Chase was won nicely by Found A Fifty for Gordon Elliot and Jack Kennedy.

Although we had plenty of graded action to enjoy over the two days, we also had very informative racing with two Willie Mullins charges Kopek Des Bordes and Final Demand appearing in Beginners Chases. The latter won over two and a half miles for owner Bryan Drew who also owned the Paddy Power Gold Cup winner the previous day at Cheltenham. Nice weekend for him!

Kopek Des Bordes won over a shorter trip and was equally impressive. Both were ridden by Paul Townend and these horses look to have huge potential. We shall see…

The eleven years young Eldorado Allen took the second race on the card, the Veterans Middle Distance Chase under Brendan Powell as he rolled back the years jumping really well and making most to win by over 4 lengths. The Novice Chase over 3 miles was won by Wade Out after a never say die ride by Champion Sean Bowen. The winner ran in snatches and on numerous occasions looked beaten but his rider never gave in and ended up taking the race going away after the last.

Jonbon was looking for his third Shloer Chase success but came up against the Skelton’s L’eau Du Sud who won as he liked by 15 lengths with Jonbon not fencing particularly well. Post race Nicky Henderson said Jonbon would have needed that and the Tingle Creek in three weeks was the main objective for the first part of the season. Nevertheless, the winner was very, very impressive to the Major’s eye.

Another taking performance came in the next, the Grade 2 Hyde Novices Hurdle when No Drama This End won readily for Paul Nicholls and Hary Cobden beating the Irish trained favourite Heads Up by three lengths. The winning trainer said the next stop would be the Challow at Newbury.

The Handicap Hurdles that top and tailed the card were won by A Pai De Nom for Harry Skelton and Tristan Durrell while the closing event victor was the James Bowen ridden French Emperor trained by Nicky Martin. A good first day even under the extreme conditions.

Super Saturday went ahead as scheduled on ground described as Soft (Heavy in Places)

The first race, the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial (Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle) saw Harry Derhams One Horse Town make it four wins from four starts under a front running ride from Paul O’Brien. The favourite Precious Man made a real hash of the last hurdle and some would argue it made the difference to the eventual result.

The Arkle Trial was won by Irish raider July Flower with her allowance beating off the determined Be Aware. The Henry De Bromhead trained mare was expertly handled by stable jockey Darragh O’Keefe to win a length and a half.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup was run in the memory of trainer Edward O’Grady who loved a winner at Prestbury Park. A nice touch by the sponsors. In the race Dan Skeltons Panic Attack won well after joining favourite Vincenzo approaching the last and securing victory by four lengths under brother Harry. Congratulations on this high-profile winner for owner Brian Drew who has invested heavily into ownership over recent years.

The closing Bumper was taken in good style by Celestial Tune who followed up her Listowel Festival win under Sean Bowen. This filly trained by Tom Cooper in Ireland looks a nice prospect for sure.

The two feature races did not disappoint on Day 3 of the meeting known as Carnival Sunday.

The staying Handicap Chase over three miles and three furlongs saw Marble Sands try an extreme trip for the first time and at the age of nine he relished every yard. Pushed along entering the straight he stayed on well to win four lengths from Irish challenger Fascile Mode who was given a patient ride having been dropped out early. The winner ridden by Kielan Woods and trained by the Killahena and McPherson combination has lots of options now for the season.

The Greatwood Hurdle saw favourite Alexei win readily and is fast improving. He followed up his Ascot victory in no uncertain terms under Brendan Powell Jr and connections have decisions to make around his future engagements. Joe Tizzard, his trainer will see how he recovers from this race and no doubt make a plan.

That’s a wrap and Cheltenham race again 12^th/13^th December for their Christmas Meeting.

The Listed Coral Dragon Stakes for two – year olds over 5 furlongs was taken by Staya. The George Scott trained filly had run a great race at Royal Ascot when fifth of twenty-three in the Queen Mary behind the Ballydoyle winner True Love. The Gala Stakes, another Listed event over a mile and a quarter saw a tight finish when Windlord owned by Juddmonte just got home from Caviar Heights. The Andrew Balding trained and Colin Keane ridden colt by Blue Point fared better in this lesser event having finished down the field behind Field Of Gold in the St James Palace at the Royal meeting.

The stayers race the Coral Marathon registered as the Esher Stakes was another close finish with only four horses going to post. Coltrane took this race for a second time having won this in 2022 under Rob Hornby. He bravely saw off the Tom Clover trained Al Nayyir by a short head under William Buick and providing another winner for Andrew Balding, making it three on the day as he took the Battaash Handicap earlier on the card with Kassaya.

Day two started with the Group 3 Coral Charge registered as the Sprint Stakes. The improving Rumstar took the honours for Jonathon Portman and Rob Hornby. The Listed Coral Distaff was another Juddmonte, Balding and Keane success when Blue Bolt made virtually all to win a length. This brought up 3 wins on the bounce after lesser victories at Windsor and Newbury.

The highlight of the two days saw another close finish when Delacroix under an inspired Ryan Moore somehow got up to “chin” Ombudsman on the line. The winner had far from a clear run and switched to the outside two out and came home strong to hit he front on the line.

Moore is in a league of his own!