Today was the last day of the Leopardstown Christmas Racing Festival. The big race saw champion hurdle winner, Istabraq, demolish the field to get back to his winning best. Aidan O'Brien's champion hurdler recorded his third consecutive victory in the AIB Agri-Business Hurdle with the minimum of fuss. Sent off at 1/8f, Charlie Swan was content to track 50/1 shot Derrymoyle until sending the 7-year-old to the front after the second last on his way to a 15 length victory.
The winning margin was flattering to the dual champion hurdler as the chasing Knife Edge, who was several lengths adrift and set for the runner-up berth, blundered and sprawled on landing over the last. Tom Rudd was lucky to stay on board Knife Edge and after eventually finishing 5th, trainer Michael O'Brien said, of the new 7/1f (from 12/1) for the Ladbroke Hurdle next month that they won't know if he's alright for a few days, but if they don't make the Ladbroke he will come back her for the A.I.G. He added that it was a pity as he was working very well.
Aidan O'Brien remarked on Istabraq that he was have to be happy with him. He said that the horse loves to be competitive and has gone very professional these days. Mr O’Brien added that the plan is to come back for the Irish Champion Hurdle and then Cheltenhan. JP McManus, who enjoyed the big race success with Istabraq, arrived by helicopter just minutes before his well backed Shannon Gale (7/4-1/1-11/8f) lined up in the opener. However, he found one too good in the shape of Al O'Connell's Montana Glen who powered away from the last under Tommy Treacy for a 5l success.
Willie Mullin's Khal Dante (7/2-4/1f) and Jason Titley duly obliged in the 2m4f maiden hurdle when holding off Camden Venture and Paul Moloney by 1 1/2L. There was a sting in the tail for the in-form Moloney as he picked up a one-day whip ban, which means he will miss Ladbroke Day next month. Karl Wyse extended his lead to 2 at the head of the amateur riders table when notching up his 15th seasonal success aboard the Pat Hughes-trained newcomer Have At It (6/1-7/1) in the bumper.
Tony Martin's Magua (7/4-9/4-15/8f) was the smooth winner of the 2m handicap hurdle in the hands of Paul Carberry before stable-companion Fandango De Chassy (5/1-4/1) just failed behind 16/1 shot Doctor Darling in the next. The concluding winners bumper turned into a one horse race as John Cullen sent recent Navan scorer One Fine Day (10/1) into a clear lead from flagfall to score by 13L from Saddler's Mark.
Appeals were lodged today by all four of the jockeys who were fined for allegedly not trying in yesterday's Woodies DIY Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Charlie Swan, Paul Carberry, Conor O'Dwyer and Pat Malone were each fined £250 by the Chairman of the stewards, after they were accused of not making enough effort to catch the winner Limestone Lad, who romped home at 6/1 on.
