Mullins and Elliott face off in Matheson Hurdle clash The four-day Christmas Festival at Leopardstown concludes today with two more high-class Grade 1 contests up for decision. The €150,000 Matheson Hurdle is a match between the powerhouses of Closutton and Cullentra with three runners a piece from the two top yards in today's six runner feature. Willie Mullins looks to hold the stronger hand with the consistent Sharjah odds on with BoyleSports at 8/11 to complete a remarkable four-timer in the two mile grade 1. Amateur rider Patrick Mullins will again be in the saddle with Champion Jockey Paul Townend penciled in to partner the five-year-old filly Echoes In Rain. Mullins’ trio is completed by the JP McManus owned Saint Roi which will be partnered for the first time by Rachael Blackmore. Gordon Elliott’s best chance looks to be with the four-year-old Zanahiyr, 100/30 with BoyleSports. Zanahiyr has three lengths to make up on Sharjah from their Morgiana Hurdle clash at Punchestown last month. Jack Kennedy who has won three races on the youngster replaces Davy Russell in the saddle this time. Russell partners the veteran Petit Mouchoir in today’s race while Bryan Coopers gets the mount on Elliott’s outsider Felix Desjy. Whatever the fate of Elliott’s runners in the Matheson Hurdle he looks to have strong claims in the other Grade 1 contest on the card with the Gigginstown Stud-owned pair Run Wild Fred and Fury Road lining up in the Neville Hotels Novice Steeplechase over three miles. Run Wild Fred, 100/30 with BoyleSports, is very experienced for a Novice and boasts solid form coming into this race. Runner-up in both the Thyestes Chase and Irish Grand National last season he routed a decent field when landing the Troytown Chase at Navan last month and is sure to give his supporters a good run for their money upped to grade 1 level. Fury Road has been more miss than hit in the last couple of seasons but is firmly in the mix here having posted two solid placed efforts in top Novice company at Fairyhouse last month. This longer trip is perfect for him and in first time cheek-pieces he would look the each-way play at 6/1 with BoyleSports should all eight runners stand their ground. Last season’s wide-margin Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier has only had two run over fences but impressed when getting off the mark for the season in a Grade 2 at Punchestown last time. The grey has been installed by BoyleSports as their 5/2 favourite for today’s race but he will have his work cut out to hold the Elliott pair at bay. Elliott is also represented in Grade 1 action at Newbury where he runs Gringo D’aubrelle, 3/1 BoyleSports, in the MansionBet Challow Novices’ Hurdle. This £270,000 purchase got off the mark over hurdles last month when narrowly out-pointing Adamantly Chosen in a Maiden over two miles but the former Point-to-Point winner is likely to improve for this step up in trip. New Customers of BoyleSports can avail of their enhanced Welcome Offer - Bet €10 Get €50 + Money Back as a free bet on All Losers 1.25 Newbury. 18+. IRE & UK mobile customers & in-shop BoyleXtra cardholders. Max Free Bet refund €10 on losing selections. Applies to first bet on race from 2pm on Tuesday 28th December on win single & win part of each way single on the outright market. Applies to selected races as advertised on mobile. Antepost/combined odds/Free/void/cashed out bets won’t qualify. Free Bets will expire after 7 days. T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware
