Caroline’s Sunday Selections for 28th December 2025

Caroline’s Sunday Selections from Leopardstown & Limerick

Leopardstown

Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase 1.20
Koktail Divin
A fascinating Beginners Chase, where there’s plenty that have a claim, but for me it’s Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin. Coming home a fine second in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown the last day on ground maybe not quite quick enough over 3 miles suggests to me that conditions and this trip will be just right, now lessened in grade. Now, there’s been a bit of interest in Willie Mullins’ Kiss Will, but he might need to settle better from his first run over fences, so may be a work in progress. On balance, Koktail Divin is the one to keep on side, and gets my pick for the in-form trainer.

Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) 1.55
Ballyburn (nap)
What a race this is the Christmas Hurdle! Now then, Teahupoo is the proven stayer over Hurdles, while Ballyburn tried a campaign over fences last season that didn’t really work out. So I do like that Willie Mullins is minded to bring him back to this discipline, and he did put Teahupoo to the task in the Hatton’s Grace the last day, where perhaps the race had been set up for Gordon Elliott’s star, but for me, Teahupoo is best when really fresh, so I’m going to say that Ballyburn, over this extended trip, and on better ground will have his measure. Lord help if I’ve got this one wrong, you’ll all be dropping messages into the Yuulo inbox, but that’s my case for Ballyburn!

Savills Chase (Grade 1) 2.30
Galopin Des Champs (nb)
Horses for courses here, as Willie Mullins takes a tried and tested route back into Galopin Des Champs seasonal campaign. This dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has won the Savills Chase in 2023 & 2024, admittedly with a previous appearance in the John Durkan at Punchestown, but the condition that the Closutton yard’s string have in their coat over this week’s racing leaves me in no doubt that they are peaking just now. So, what an intriguing Grade One we have, but I’m of the opinion that although stablemate Inothewayurthinkin beat Galopin Des Champs in his bid for a third Cheltenham Gold Cup, he wasn’t quite himself that day for whatever the reason, and just cannot be written off for one bad day at the office. Unbeaten in seven starts at Leopardstown, Galopin Des Champs is still relatively lightly raced and is the one to beat, back where he produces his early season best.

Limerick

Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase (Grade 1) 1.40
Final Demand
Just the four going to post here, and I’m expecting a Willie Mullins one-two-three. And, it’s going to be very hard to back against the exciting Final Demand, who made a seamless start to his novice chasing campaign with an impressive 13 length win at Navan the last day. Now, I’m of the opinion that Jimmy De Seuil is also a high class chaser in the making, but is he good enough to take on stablemate Final Demand? Well, the only race that Final Demand hasn’t won in a 6 race career was the Grade One Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival back in March, and considering he was behind The New Lion and The Yellow Clay, I reckon that still counts as top class form. Patrick Mullins takes the ride, while Danny is on Jimmy De Seuil for this family affair, but it’s hard to see Final Demand not winning.

Campion Insurance Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase (Listed) 2.15
Dee Capo
I might take a chance on the talented but quirky Dee Capo for this Handicap Chase. It will help that Carl Millar takes of 5lbs from the top weight, but Dee Capo is one to get right on the day so comes with risks attached, and it’s still asking a question on ground this deep. Having said all that, Gordon Elliott has his Cullentra yard in fine form and this right handed track will suit Dee Capo, plus I’m of the opinion that he has more wins in him if coping with this ground. Paul Nolan’s Conyers Hill has had plenty of support, while Patrick Foley’s Rebel Gold would be my each way pick, but a chancy Dee Capo for the win it is!