The fourth and final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival has a must-see battle between wonder-mares Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth in the December Hurdle of 2025. They are the star attractions in a field of eight for the final Grade 1 of the calendar year in Ireland.
Gordon Elliott again wanted to send Brighterdaysahead chasing, but it’s relatively late in the core National Hunt season to get started with that. So impressive when routing a smaller field by 30 lengths here 12 months ago, her spring campaign fell apart. Despite one of the biggest shock Cheltenham Festival results in Champion Hurdle history, Brighterdaysahead couldn’t capitalise on falls for both Constitution Hill and State Man.
With the race at her mercy, she finished lame and stopped practically to a walk crossing the line in fourth. Brighterdaysahead then faded into third in the Mares Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. She’s had her problems, then, but returns to action in the December Hurdle of 2025 looking for a successful defence of her crown.
Unlike Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth is race-fit and a multiple Cheltenham Festival winner following Triumph Hurdle success as a juvenile and landing consecutive editions of the Mares’ Hurdle. One of four in the line-up for Willie Mullins here, she deputises for injured stable companion State Man as the yard’s leading hurdler.
Lossiemouth has the same official rating of 159 as Brighterdaysahead. BHA and HRI handicappers cannot split this six-year-old pair, but something has to give. Never out of the first two in 14 completed starts over hurdles, Lossiemouth returns to the scene of her only fall. That came in the Irish Champion Hurdle during the Dublin Racing Festival last season.
Anzadam, Irancy Capable of Better
Although leading Cheltenham bookmakers replaced Lossiemouth with Sir Gino as Champion Hurdle favourite following his successful Kempton reappearance if she wins the December Hurdle of 2025, there may be another market move. As noted above, half the field are Mullins mounts here but must demonstrate improvement.
It’s a big ask to expect anything progress-wise from Winter Fog rising 12. That doesn’t mean Fighting Fifth second Anzadam won’t come on for his reappearance and first UK start, however. As a five-year-old turning six soon, he’s half the age of Winter Fog. Anzadam went to Newcastle unbeaten and has only had five career starts.
Apart from an unusual head carriage, he acquitted himself well conceding 7lb to Golden Ace. That one has since chased home Sir Gino, so the form looks solid enough. Anzadam remains open to plenty of further progress, but similar comments apply to the fourth of the Mullins quartet in Irancy.
Owned by JP McManus, he’s a seven-year-old about to turn eight, but has had just six hurdles starts and eight career outings. Although tailed off behind Lossiemouth in the Morgiana at Punchestown, Irancy should not only strip fitter for that run but appreciate the return to a sounder surface in the December Hurdle now.
Hatton’s Grace faller Casheldale Lad gives Elliott a second string in the race. Representing Bective Stud, his 4-8 record over the smaller obstacles suggests he’s useful. Whether Casheldale Lad is up to Grade 1 company off the back of Listed autumn wins around Listowel and Down Royal is another matter, though.
Hello Neighbour won both of his graded juvenile hurdles over course and distance for Gavin Cromwell. Again, the issue is open company at the highest level demands more of him. Brighterdaysahead apart, he’s the least race-fit runner here.
December Hurdle 2025 Shortlist & Verdict
If Lossiemouth is vulnerable at any track, then it’s here. Her DRF fall and odds-on price are the only reasons to oppose her, though. Brighterdaysahead came into her rout here 12 months off the back of two runs instead of first time out. ANZADAM looks the best value at the odds on offer, here. Half of the last 10 winners of this have been five-year-olds.
Irancy should also be capable of better after a disappointing display in the Morgiana that wasn’t his true running. If he bounced back to the pick of his novice hurdle form, then he’s the each-way play in here. Casheldale Lad could also run a big race, if proving no worse for that Hatton’s Grace fall.
