Ireland today

There is frost around in Ireland as well, but the meetings at Leopardstown and Limerick seem to be safe. Big race is the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at 15.35 CET, in which 4 of the 12 runners are trained in Britain.

British raiders have won this event for the past 3 years, so the challenge must be taken seriously. Voy por Ustedes (Alan KIng/ Robert Thornton) would appear to be the best chance, although 3 miles on heavy ground may be stretching him, while Paul Nicholls´ What a Friend (Barry Geraghty), runner-up in the Hennessy last time, is an obvious threat. Best of the locals should be Joncol (Paul Nolan/ Aidan Cawley) and Cooldine (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh).

There could also be a British-trained winner of the Christmas Hurdle over 3 miles at 15.00; Lie Forrit (W. Amos/ Campbell Gillies) has won 4 of his last 5 races in excellent style, and although moving up in grade here, can score again for his small stable. The other main race is the novice chase at 14.30, which seems to lie between Pandorama (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon) and German-bred Catch Me (Erward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara).

However Willie Mullins fares at the main meeting, he seems sure to be among the winners at Limerick, where his son Paddy can win for the yard at 14.10 on Florida Pal and at 15.50 on Grande Luso, while nephew Emmet´s big chance is in the Grade Three novice hurdle at 14.45 with Enterprise Park.