AND just like that, we have arrived at the final day of what has been a spectacular Christmas Festival at Leopardstown. It has been three days of ecstasy and agony for everyone involved, but we have one more day left until we have to wait another year to do it all over again.
The clear highlight on the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival is the highly anticipated Grade 1 December Hurdle. The defending champion, Brighterdaysahead, squares off against three-time Cheltenham Festival winner, Lossiemouth. Let’s not waste any more time and delve deep into this clash of the titans.
🏇 Leopardstown Christmas Festival day four schedule
- 11:40 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle – 2m2f
- 12:12 Donohue Marquees Maiden Hurdle – 2m4f
- 12:47 SIS Supporting Irish Racing Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle – 2m4f
- 1:22 Grade 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Kerrymount Mares Hurdle – 2m4f
- 1:57 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase – 3m½f
- 2:32 Grade 1 December Hurdle – 2m
- 3:05 Listed Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle – 2m4f
- 3:40 Jump Into Hospitality At Dublin Racing Festival INH Flat Race – 2m
Odds provided by top horse racing betting sites are correct at the time of writing, and are subject to change.
PUNTER PICKS
Best betting sites in the UK: Top bookmakers for December 2025
DEALS
Best free bets and betting sign-up offers for December 2025
Grade 1 December Hurdle: Brighterdaysahead sets out to darken Lossiemouth’s champion hurdle dream
For the second season in a row, the decision not to pursue novice chasing with Brighterdaysahead has given the December Hurdle a needed boost. Before that news, the only question was not if Lossiemouth would win, but by how far she would win.
Now that Brighterdaysahead, who won this by 30 lengths last season, is lining up, she is far from a back number here. The winning and losing of this for her may rest on how fast they decide to go on the front end.
Last season, she had the help of her stablemate King Of Kingsfield to set a blistering pace. Even State Man could not cope with that speed. It will be interesting to see what tactics are adopted today. However, unlike last season, Brighterdaysahead doesn’t have race fitness on her side, while Lossiemouth, her main challenger for the crown, does.
The eight-time Grade 1 winner had no more than a jog around Punchestown when winning the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle. Even so, that outing would have blown away any rustiness from the superstar mare.
There is one little nagging issue with Lossiemouth here. The last time she ran at Leopardstown, she took a crashing fall at the fourth last. She was lucky to walk away from that fall with no injuries. Miraculously, it didn’t affect her confidence for the rest of the season.
Now, back down to two miles at a pace she is not used to, memories of what happened to her may flood back. Only time will tell how much the return to Leopardstown will affect her. Away from the memory of that horror fall, Lossiemouth has shown time after time that she is a top-class mare. Barring accidents, she can record her ninth Grade 1 success.
➡️ Bet on LOSSIEMOUTH for the Grade 1 December Hurdle here with bet365
About the author
Craig Mahood
Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun.
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