Main Event

Christmas Festival, Leopardstown

What is it? One of the highlights of the National Hunt season.

When and Where? The four-day Christmas Festival at Leopardstown racecourse in Foxrock begins - as usual - on St Stephen's Day. Racing begins in Dublin 18 at 12.25pm each day.

And the racing? With over €1 million in prize money on offer, and featuring many of the biggest names in racing, Leopardstown racecourse is expected to attract over 65,000 punters over the four days. Jessica Harrington will be hoping Moscow Flyer gets its season back on track on the second day of the festival in the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Steeplechase, while Baracouda may run in the Christmas Hurdle the following day.

And Beef or Salmon is on target for a back-to-back victory in the Lexus Chase the same afternoon - with Michael Hourigan's charge beating Best Mate by seven lengths 12 months ago. Incidently, there's more than one festival starting next Monday in Ireland - with Limerick racecourse in Patrickswell also hosting their annual four-day event.

Admission? A Grandstand ticket will set you back €16, with students and OAPs gaining admission for half that. A reserved enclosure ticket is €30, with one for all four days costing €95. Top level seats are €55. For four days after Christmas, the entrance stiles at Leopardstown racecourse (and Limerick) will be happily taking Christmas presents off thousands of racing fans. Leopardstown Racecourse office is 01 2890500 (Limerick Racecourse: 061 320000).

On TV? Robert Hall - accompanied by Ted Walsh, Tracy Piggott and Brian Gleeson - will present four days of live racing from the Christmas Festival on RTÉ, with Tony O'Hehir providing the live commentator. Coverage each day begins at 1.25pm (See TV Week) with four races show live each day.