Galopin Des Champs winning the Savills Chase last Christmas© Photo Healy Racing
The Savills Chase is shaping up to be a real Christmas cracker with last year’s impressive winner and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs heading an entry of 21 for the €175,000 showpiece on December 28, day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
The entries for all six Grade 1s at Leopardstown's Christmas Festival have been revealed as well as a couple of big handicaps.
The first four home from the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month all feature in the ‘Savills’ including Fact To File who made a seamless transition from novice to open company along with gallant runner-up Spillane’s Tower.
The other Grade 1 on December 28 is the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle with the Gordon Elliott-trained pair Teahupoo and Brighterdaysahead among the 17 entries together with last season's Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles and King George winner Hewick.
The first Grade 1 of the four-day extravaganza is now the Grade 1 Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase over three miles on St Stephen's Day.
Elliott is responsible for a dozen of the 27 entries which includes Better Days Ahead and recent Drinmore Novice Chase winner Croke Park.
Willie Mullins has entered last season's star staying novice hurdler Dancing City, who has yet to jump a fence in public, as well as Impaire Et Passe and Lecky Watson, while Slade Steel is an interesting contender from Henry de Bromhead’s yard.
Mullins certainly seems to hold the key to the Paddy Power Rewards Club Chase on December 27 as two-time Champion Chase winner Energumene, last season's Arkle hero Gaelic Warrior and Ferny Hollow feature among the 15 entries. The reigning Champion Chaser, Captain Guinness, has also been entered.
Salvator Mundi is the ante-post favourite for the 2025 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and his name is among the 30 entries for the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on the same day.
The €200,000 Paddy Power Chase is sure to be as competitive as ever with no fewer than 51 entries headed by Nick Rockett.
The December Hurdle on the final day, December 29, could provide a rematch between last year's winner State Man and his recent Morgiana Hurdle conqueror Brighterdaysahead, while last Sunday's imperious Hatton's Grace Hurdle heroine Lossiemouth has also been entered along with Mystical Power.
There are 43 entries for the Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle also on the final day of the Festival including recent Royal Bond winner Tounsivator.
