Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

ON his first run over three miles, Irish Point (Evens favourite) ran out a facile winner of the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle to make it three Grade 1 wins at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

The five-year-old son of Joshua Tree settled notably well in mid-division, held up behind last year’s winner Home By The Lee, who was ridden forward on this occasion by JJ Slevin. Joseph O’Brien’s horse looked a difficult ride in the second part of the race, racing lazily, and the writing was on the wall for him when the field closed up at the second last, with Irish Point notably travelling the best for a motionless Kennedy.

A two-length lead over Asterion Forlonge quickly became 11 lengths once the Kerry rider asked for his mount to pick up, with Ballyadam running with credit in third.

The winner, having just his second start in open company, was cut into favourite for the Stayers’ Hurdle with a number of firms but the exact same connections have last year’s third and the dual Hatton’s Grace Hurdle winner Teahupoo for that contest.

Impressed

Unsurprisingly, Elliott was keen to focus on today and was suitably impressed.

“Jack said he did nothing more than a piece of work at home,” said Elliott. “He was very professional, settled in very well. You’re always worried about stepping up to three miles for the first time but Jack said it was only a piece of work for him. Jack thought half way that he might be nearly too relaxed, so he gave him a little squeeze.

“It’s great to win today, we can worry about the next race again but we’re smiling today.”

Pressed on possible later running plans, with regard to Teahupoo, Elliott said: “It’s a good problem to have - there is no headaches here anyway! To be honest, Irish Point could be a horse we keep for Aintree or something, but we’ll see. He was very good today.”