The Leopardstown Christmas Festival gets underway today where the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase is the feature of the day.
The Joseph O'Brien trained Fakir D'oudairies is expected to go off the favourite with Willie Mullins' Laurina likely to be the 4-year-old's biggest competition.
The first of seven races gets underway at the Dublin course from 10-past-12.
🎅@Downroyal -First Race- 12.00
🎁 @LeopardstownRC -First Race- 12.10
🎄 @LimerickRaces -First Race- 12.25
High-class action for St Stephen's Day at three tracks this afternoon. Our preview of #DownRoyal, #Leopardstown and #Limerick is here👇#Faugheenhttps://t.co/2q0ay0gWGp pic.twitter.com/C6SLzwM0Ft— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) December 26, 2019
There's also seven races at Limerick with action there underway just 15 minutes later.
All eyes will be on the Munster course at 20-to-3 for the big race - the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Steeplechase.
Faugheen and Samcro will go up against each other.
The Willie Mullins trained Faugheen is looking to land his 10th Grade one win while Gordan Elliot's Samcro will be looking to put falling in his chasing debut at Down Royal behind him.
🥊Samcro vs Faugheen 🥊
The Grade 1 Matchbook Novice Chase at @LimerickRaces today promises to be a Christmas cracker 😎@_tomstanley_ @HawkWing2002 & Donn McClean discuss: https://t.co/yUM7IkM5GV— Matchbook Betting Exchange (@TeamMatchbook) December 26, 2019
