Keen anticipation for Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at the Limerick Christmas Racing Festival
The Grade 1 Guinness00 Faugheen Novice Chase, the first Grade 1 race to be staged in Munster when it was upgraded to the highest level in 2018, is the highlight of the year at Limerick Racecourse’s Christmas Festival.
This year’s renewal will take place on Sunday, December 28th and the 2m5f test is one with a serious recent history.
Impaire Et Passe prevailed last year and subsequently won at the highest level at Aintree. Two years ago, Gaelic Warrior won at the Patrickswell track before going onto Arkle glory at Cheltenham just months later. In 2022, Gerri Colombe triumphed and won two of his next three starts in England, both Grade 1s.
These latest winners clearly set a very high standard to follow and Willie Mullins appears very determined to capture the glory for the third successive time, given that he trains five of the nine horses standing their ground.
Leading the Closutton quintet is Final Demand, a dual Grade 1 winning novice hurdler last season, whose debut run over fences at Navan last month could not have gone much better, scoring as he pleased by thirteen lengths after which he was described as ‘the real deal’ by his trainer. Final Demand will likely start an odds-on chance should he line up.
Second pick in the market at this stage is Oscars Fancy trained in Cashel by Connor King, the former dual champion apprentice jockey on the Flat. Champion owner JP McManus recently acquired this winner of the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown when the trainer’s brother Daniel was in the saddle.
Jimmy Du Seuil, winner of the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last season, who made a successful introduction to fences at Fairyhouse recently, might be ranked next in the pecking order of the Mullins team along with Gold Dancer, winner of two of his most recent three novice chase starts, both at Grade 3 level. Kitzbuhel and Predators Gold, both successful in their only outings to date over fences, complete the Mullins team.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead prepares The Big Westerner who ran second, beaten four lengths, by Jimmy Du Seuil on his chasing bow at the end of November but this horse won the Grade 2 Lyons of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle at this fixture last and placed second at Grade 1 level at the Cheltenham Festival, so he merits respect.
The Lonesome Boatman, trained by Sean Allen, and Western Walk, trained by Jonathan Sweeney complete the line-up at the forfeit stage.
Mid-West Festival
Beyond the four-day racing schedule, Limerick's Christmas Festival is renowned for its lively social scene. Over the four days, racegoers can enjoy live music and entertainment in the Big Top and Grandstand.
Fashion takes centre stage on day two, December 27th with the Holman Lee Agency presenting the 'Most Stylish Lady' competition, offering prizes worth €1500, sponsored by Lyons of Limerick and Keane’s Jewellers along with goodie bags sponsored by Brown Thomas for all the finalists. TV personality Meghann Scully will be in attendance on the day to talk all things racing and fashion.
Racing presenter and influencer Frankie Foster will be on course on Sunday, December 28th to mingle with racegoers and provide analysis on the Christmas Festival showpiece, the Grade 1 Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase.
The family fun day on Monday, December 29th invites families to enjoy a festive day filled with a host of free activities such as play areas, carnival rides, face painting and kiddie characters by Giggles Entertainment.
For more information and to book tickets, visit limerickraces.ie.