Matheson Hurdle (Grade 1)

THE last Grade 1 of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival can mean only one thing and that is a victory for the irresistible combination of Sharjah and Patrick Mullins who once again carried all before them in the Matheson Hurdle.

There was a time when this race was the preserve of Hurricane Fly who won the race four times between 2010 and 2014 and now that mantle has shifted to another Mullins star in Sharjah who was winning this race for the third year in succession.

This Susannah Ricci-owned seven-year-old has few peers around at Leopardstown at Christmas but there is much more to him than just that as he showed when finishing second in last season’s Champion Hurdle.

In a division currently in a state of flux, Sharjah certainly did his bit to underline his credentials as a lively contender for Cheltenham while also showing that the younger generation have a way to go before they can bridge the gap to established stars.

Beforehand, one key dimension of this race was the rematch of the Morgiana Hurdle one-two Abacadabras (found to have mucus in his trachea post-race) and Saint Roi but they could manage only fifth and fourth respectively.

Indeed, the stiffest challenger to Sharjah was the four-year-old Aspire Tower who ran an honourable race from the front and remains a coming force in this division.

An 11/2 chance on his first run since finishing unplaced on the flat behind Princess Zoe at the Galway Festival, Sharjah was given his customary waiting ride from Patrick Mullins and it was only on the approach to the straight that he was asked to pick up.

While his rivals were making heavy weather of reeling in Aspire Tower, Sharjah went through the gears with this customary speed and class. He was still left with a little work to do after the last but he quickly got on top to score by two lengths. Petit Mouchoir ran another huge race at this track to finish a further three lengths away in third.

Fine art

“The horse and Patrick are a huge combination. They spark off one another and Patrick has riding this horse down to a fine art and I’m delighted for both of them and Rich and Susannah Ricci,” said Mullins.

“This horse just loves this track and he’s showing us that he’s a real class act maybe Patrick will get an opportunity to win the Champion Hurdle on him. I’d imagine Sharjah will be back here for the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.”

As he reflected on the achievements of both his son and a wonderful four days for his string Mullins added: “I’m hugely proud to see what Patrick is doing and to do the weights he’s doing requires a lot of hard graft and commitment. It’s been a fantastic Christmas for us and I would like to thank all the team at home who have put in a huge effort.”

Meanwhile, the winning rider stated: “I was wondering would I get to Rachael (Blackmore) and Aspire Tower turning in and I probably had to commit earlier than I wanted to.

“He wasn’t wonderful at the last but he went to the line very well. He loves this track and he has to be ridden this way. He’s a horse with a great turn of foot.”

Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

MONKFISH continued his rapid ascent to the head of the staying novice division with another display that contained class and poise aplenty after he was given a good test by his back to form old rival Latest Exhibition.

When Monkfish and Latest Exhibition last met they served up that epic finish to the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham where Monkfish got home by a neck. The outcome wasn’t quite as close this time but the closing stages of this race served up a fine spectacle which highlighted the many impressive attributes at Monkfish’s disposal while also demonstrating that Latest Exhibtion will get his turn at the top level over fences.

Through the first half of the race Foxy Jacks jumped markedly out to his right as he made the running and this had an unsettling effect on several of the runners but the race took on a different look when Monkfish strode on with a circuit to run.

The Susannah Ricci-owned six-year-old jumped and travelled smoothly in the lead and exuded command and confidence.

Latest Exhibition produced a nice display of his own and raised his effort in fine style for Bryan Cooper after two out to throw down a stern challenge. Indeed he got upsides the 1/2 favourite at the last fence where a poor jump from either horses would have severely compromised their chances.

Both jumped the last well but Monkfish was just too strong on the run-in and he asserted to pull three lengths clear and cement his status at the head of the staying ranks.

“He looks very good and very natural. I thought that was a good performance at a Grade 1 trip and stepping up in trip. He looks like he’s been chasing all his life and he’s a real old-fashioned chaser with lots of scope,” remarked Mullins.

“He will come back here for the Flogas Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival and then we’ll see about where he goes.”

This was the first time since 2014 that Mullins has won this race and, notably, his last two winners Don Poli (2014) and Back In Focus (2012), went on to win at Cheltenham in the their novice seasons.