Last Ran: 29th December 2008

What a treat we have in store on Monday when the Grade 1 Leopardstown Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle gets underway. All the big guns are coming out and it looks like we are in for a thriller once again.

Hardy Eustace it seems, can still pull it out of the bag when he needs to, he won the Maplewood Developments Hurdle in November delivering his best perfomance for some time and beating Sizing Europe in the process. His last run was at the end of November in the Hattons Grace Hurdle, this time coming third behind Brave Inca and Catch me. On a negative one must wonder how long he can keep the younger horses at bay.

Sizing Europe made his come back in the Maplewood and his trainer has reported to be very pleased with his seasonal debut. Winner of the AIG Champion Hurdle last season but failed to deliver at Cheltenham, he will be all the better for his recent outing and ready to settle a score.

Sublimity has got to be considered after a great challenge in the Fighting Fifth, eventually succumbing to Punjabi to come runner up. He travelled superb and gave his all. He will be stronger for this run which was his seasonal debut so expect a strong challenge from this one.

Noel Meade has two entries with Aitmatov and Muirhead.