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Teahupoo proves class again in Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown

Updated / Sunday, 28 Dec 2025 16:46
Jack Kennedy celebrates another big win over the Christmas period
Jack Kennedy celebrates another big win over the Christmas period

Teahupoo stamped his authority on the staying division with a dominant performance in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, Teahupoo was trying to confirm Fairyhouse form with Ballyburn after the pair fought out a thrilling finish to last month's Hatton’s Grace, with just a nose separating the two on that occasion.

Ballyburn was sent off the 13-8 favourite to reverse that result and it looked as though another duel was on the cards as the duo swept by the front-running Rocky’s Diamond, but Teahupoo (5-2) was clearly travelling much the better and stretched clear when given the signal by Kennedy.

Teahupoo kept galloping all the way to the line to win by seven lengths from the staying-on Bob Olinger, who in turn was a further seven lengths clear of Ballyburn.

Elliott said: "He was good. You'd be nervous looking at him halfway through a race as he always looks like he’s going as fast as he can, but that’s the way he races.

"He’s a good horse and the faster they went the better. He can do it every way.

"Years ago when you were looking at Big Buck’s and Inglis Drever, they always said they were behind the bridle the whole way and that’s the exact same way that he races.

"He’s a great horse and we’re lucky to have him.

"Jack was delighted and said he felt as good as ever. He didn’t do a lot when he got there! He pulls himself up but that’s what he is."

Asked if Teahupoo was taking his racing better this season, Elliott added: "I don’t know if he ever wasn’t taking them that well. Sometimes we can be guilty of not letting people see these horses enough.

"You can see the cheer he got when he came in, that’s what people need to see – these good horses coming out.

"It was a big rematch with Ballyburn and if Ballyburn had won, he would have gotten as big a reception because he’s a champion as well. We can’t forgot about Bob Olinger, he’s some horse as well."

Koktail Divin made it third time lucky over fences with victory in the Ballymaloe Relish Rising Stars Beginners Chase.

Second behind subsequent dual Grade One winner Romeo Coolio on his first attempt, Henry de Bromhead's charge was then beaten three lengths by Oscars Brother when upped to Grade Two level last time.

Back down in class here, the 11-4 chance made no mistake in the hands of Darragh O’Keeffe, cantering home 21 lengths clear to put himself in the Cheltenham Festival picture later in the campaign.

De Bromhead said: "He was really good and we’re delighted with that. He jumped brilliant, Darragh was brilliant on him and he picked up really well.

"He’s had three runs so we’ll see what want to do now. Obviously the lads would love to go to Cheltenham so I’d imagine we’ll go there, and then it’s a matter of whether we’d have a run in between.

"The Dublin Racing Festival is a big meeting as well so we’ll see what everyone wants to do."

Lazare De Star (6-4 favourite) gave Elliott yet another winner as he ran out a comfortable four-and-a-half-length victor of the Savills Maiden Hurdle under Kennedy.

Elliott said: "I think he’s smart enough. I like the way he quickened off the home turn and put it to sleep fairly quick.

"He’s going to be a big three-mile chaser down the line. You’d love the way he hit the line.

"We’ve no plan made with him, we’ll have a look and see."

Joseph O’Brien sent out 25-1 chance Silver Duke to triumph in the colours of his sister Sarah in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, giving Hugh Horgan a first National Hunt success in the process.

The winning handler said: "I’m delighted, he’s been a progressive horse as he’s gone up in trip. Hugh gave him a great ride, it was only his second ride over hurdles.

"I’m delighted for Sarah as well, it’s nice to have a winner.

"He likes a bit of goodish ground. Hugh gave him a fantastic ride and produced him at the right time."

The Mercedes Benz South Dublin Handicap Hurdle went the way of 9-2 favourite The Nagger Reidy for trainer Stephen Carey and jockey Michael Kenneally, while €150,000 purchase Bentraghhill (2-1) landed the closing Forest Fest INH Flat Race in style for Willie Mullins and Jody Townend.

Meanwhile, at Limerick, Final Demand came to the fore with a straightforward victory in the Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase for the father-and-son team of Willie and Patrick Mullins.

Sent off the 1-3 favourite in a small field of four, the six-year-old was vying for a third Grade One title having struck at the top level twice during his hurdling career.

He was making his second start over fences with a winning debut already on his CV, and added to that 13-length triumph at Navan with an effortless eight-length victory from Gold Dancer.

Patrick Mullins said: "He jumped fantastic but was very lairy on his own in front.

"I looked through my legs after the third last and saw that something had obviously gone amiss with Danny (Mullins aboard stablemate Jimmy Du Seuil). After that it was just a case of getting him home.

"At the last I said 'just don't do anything silly’ and he came back and was very good. He was like riding an armchair.

"I wanted to be going a stride faster all the way as I thought Jimmy Du Seuil might be a faster horse. Going down the back the last time I asked him to go on and he did. I wish I could have gone around again!

"I think in a more competitive race he’ll travel better. He was so lazy today which is great."

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