15:05 Leopardstown (IRE) 29 Dec 2025
Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle
0-150 | Listed | Class 1 | 4YO plus
Winner €60,000 - 16 ran
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, joined 6 out, pushed along to regain advantage after 2 out, ridden entering straight, kept on well from last
soon led, headed after 3rd, 3rd halfway, 4th 3 out, progress on inner to regain 3rd entering straight, pushed along to go 2nd before last, soon ridden and no extra, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, pushed along entering straight, no extra in 5th before last, soon ridden and rallied to regain 3rd close home
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along on inner after 2 out, ridden to go 4th early straight, went 3rd before last, soon no extra and lost a place close home
towards rear, 13th entering straight, pushed along to go 6th before last, kept on to take 5th run-in
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, led and disputed from 6 out, pushed along and headed after 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, dropped to 4th before last, lost a further 2 places run-in
rear of mid division, 8th halfway, pushed along after 2 out, briefly short of room in 6th early straight, no extra in 7th before last, kept on one pace run-in
mid division, pushed along in 9th after 2 out, no impression from next
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in 5th after 2 out, soon no extra and weakened before last
rear of mid division, 11th halfway, pushed along in 6th approaching 2 out, soon no extra and weakened before last
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along after 3 out, no impression from next
always towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, progress into mid division after 3 out, pushed along on outer after next, soon no impression
always towards rear, never a factor, pulled up before last
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €73.84 (14, 15) |
| Tricast | €580.23 (14, 15, 16) |
| Win | €8.50 (14) |
| Place | €2.00 (14), €2.50 (15), €2.50 (16), €2.40 (6) |
| Exacta | €81.00 (14, 15) |
| Trifecta | €873.40 (14, 15, 16) |
Expert Analysis
A big field handicap hurdle but the pace was steady and a prominent position was a big advantage; the first four were in the first six leaving the back straight the first time around.
CHAMPAGNE KID stays further than this and his claiming jockey gave him a fine ride, moving up to lead after four hurdles then sending him on at the second last. Conditions may not be as favourable next time, but he is unexposed in handicap hurdles.
THISISTHEWAY was coming off a break but goes well fresh and ran up to her best. She travelled as well as any behind the leader, made a slight mistake at the last, before not quite seeing the trip out. A drop in distance might help.
SAINT LE FORT was well-supported in the betting and raced near the pace, a slow jump two out not helping his chances before he finished strongly after the last. He would benefit from strong handling and likes a sound surface.
BUNTING came from a little further back than the three that beat him but does not convince with his head carriage. He is one from 13 since joining Willie Mullins and isn’t one to make excuses for.
WENDROCK has been shaping as if in need of further than two miles for a while now but had little chance because of race position here. He was last leaving the back straight and has done particularly well to pass most of the field to finish fifth. He looks well-handicapped.
ASHDALE BOB raced close to the pace but found typically little after travelling well.
ZILLOW was ridden wide in mid-division by Paul Townend, who may have been worried about his jumping, and made a move into the race on the outer leaving the back straight before failing to get home. Two miles is more suitable.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 15:05 Leopardstown 29th Dec 2025
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good - Yielding | 20 | Al Gasparo | 5 | 10 9 | 132 | 2-15310 | 64 days | G P Cromwell (128 miles) | Conor Stone-Walsh | 20/ 1 | 4:51.10 |
