Kempton had vivid scenes of a rejuvenated Constitution Hill and a King George masterclass by Paul Townend on Banbridge, but fog meant St Stephen’s Day fans at Leopardstown were lucky to see anything at all.
A 45-minute delay to the fourth race underlined how close Day One of the Christmas festival action came to disastrous disruption.
Fog had not been forecast only for it to envelope the Foxrock track from early in the morning while Met Office assurances it would burn off by racing’s midday start was the festive action’s first bum tip.
The first two races were mostly invisible to those in the stands although conditions were just about raceable. During the third race they got worse and prompted real concerns of a cancellation.
Leopardstown festival: Gordon Elliott and Gavin Cromwell pursue major staying handicap chase double
Leopardstown survives ‘borderline’ fog threat to finish St Stephen’s Day programme
Kempton king Paul Townend adds another jewel to his record with Banbridge
Lorcan Wyer has his plate full making sure there are no grounds for concern at Leopardstown
Although jockeys and trainers were keen for action to go ahead, the stewards were anxious that inability to see enough would have integrity implications. There were also safety concerns in relation to issues such as loose horses running free out of sight in the murk.
“It has to be stewardable,” insisted the senior stipendiary official Liam Walsh before to the relief of everyone patience eventually won out.
“It was borderline on occasions, pretty marginal. And it didn’t make for pretty viewing for our customers,” admitted clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer. “But everyone, riders, trainers, doctors, vets, were collectively happy to keep edging things our way. It’s a relief.”
[ Kempton king Paul Townend adds another jewel to his record with BanbridgeOpens in new window ]
No one was more grateful than Gordon Elliott who reached 98 career Grade One successes when saddling a one-two in a dramatic featured €100,000 Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase,
Just four lined up, three of them Elliott’s, and even the final bend was invisible to the cameras that otherwise prevented a total visual farce. Nevertheless, only a head separated Croke Park from his odds-on Better Days Ahead at the line as Sam Ewing’s judgment got vindicated in style.
His decision to stick with the narrow Drinmore winner paid off with another photo finish verdict after Croke Park’s dogged display at Fairyhouse earlier in the month.
“I couldn’t see much of the race, but it’s great to win it. To be honest he disappointed me so much as a hurdler last year. We had such expectations for him but he was probably so big and weak.
“He’s come back there now and has two Grade Ones won this season so I’m delighted for connections,” said Elliott who will have two chances to secure a top-flight “century” on Friday. “Hopefully we can reach the 100 this week,” he added.
There was another desperate finish to the Grade Two O’Driscoll’s Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle as the jumping debutant, and 9-4 favourite, Hello Neighbour was a short head too good for Lady Vega Allen.
There was relief for Hello Neighbour’s jockey Keith Donoghue who put up 1lb overweight after a meagre Christmas diet got him to 11st. The winner was cut to 5-1 for Cheltenham’s Triumph Hurdle.
“It was a brave call to come here on his first start and thankfully he hung on. He was keen in snatches in the race and because of that he didn’t jump as well as he can do. I think when he learns to settle better in races he’ll be better again,” trainer Gavin Cromwell said.
Out of luck at Kempton with Lossiemouth unable to overhaul Constitution Hill, Willie Mullins was quick ensure there was no repeat of his 2023 Leopardstown St Stephen’s Day blank as Kopek Des Bordes overcame poor jumping to land the opener.
“He didn’t jump properly, he’s a way better jumper than that. I’m hoping that there is a lot of improvement in his jumping. He looks a tip-top animal,” Mullins said. The winner is 12-1 for Cheltenham’s Supreme.
The champion trainer doubled up in the bumper with Green Splendour to end an unusual St Stephen’s Day dominated by a rogue bit of weather.
“It was good to get racing done. I’ve seen it much worse, and we’ve raced. I was surprised that it took such a long time to decide on whether we’d race or not. I thought we could have been more positive and raced. But obviously the stewards had concerns that maybe we weren’t aware of,” Mullins said.
Considering how disappointed he was with the way Lossiemouth travelled in the early stages of her race, he was happy with how she ultimately got within two-and-a-half lengths of her Kempton rival. Cheltenham’s International and the Irish Champion Hurdle are potential pre-Cheltenham targets.
A thrilling finish to the handicap chase saw much of the field spread across the track on the run-in and it was An Peann Dearg that got the verdict from last year’s winner The Fokes Tiara. Less than a length covered the first five home, making it a finish worth persevering for in the circumstances.
Despite conditions making viewing all but impossible, a St Stephen’s Day crowd of just over 17,000 attended Leopardstown. The tally was marginally up on 2023.
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