Elliott eyeing Leopardstown's Christmas festival after news of prize-money boost

Gordon Elliott has vowed to take his stars to the four-day Leopardstown Christmas festival that begins on December 26 and boasts a substantial increase in prize-money for its major races, including all seven Grade 1s.

The total increase in prize-money across the four days is €160,000, a 12 per cent rise from last year.

Speaking at his Cullentra-based yard in County Meath on Monday, Elliott promised to aim his best horses at the meeting.

Coeur Sublime: [with Keith Donoghue] is on course to represent Gordon Elliott at Leopardstown

He said: "We're really looking forward to being in the thick of things this Christmas and hope to be able to win some of the big races."

One horse Elliott is particularly keen on running is the Chris Jones-owned Coeur Sublime, who could take in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle on the opening day, which has had its purse bumped up to €50,000 from €45,000.

He added: "Coeur Sublime will be targeted at the meeting and we plan to aim as many of our good horses as possible."

The Racing Post Novice Chase is the feature Grade 1 on December 26 and is worth €100,000, up €10,000 on last year.

Both Grade 1s on day two have increased in value, with the Paddy’s Rewards Club 'Sugar Paddy' Chase rising €25,000 to €125,000 and the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle up €15,000 to €100,000.

The Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on day three is worth €15,000 more at €100,000, and the Savills Chase is up €25,000 to €175,000.

Races to have received a significant boost on the final day of the festival are the Ryanair Hurdle, now worth €125,000 from €100,000, and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase, which has been upped from €85,000 to €100,000.

There are prize-money increases for all the higher-quality handicaps at the meeting.

Leopardstown chief executive Pat Keogh said: "It's with thanks to the generosity and support of our sponsors and HRI we can announce these significant prize-money increases.

"We're delighted for the owners, who are so important, that the increases are across the board and include virtually all 28 races over the four days.

"The quality of racing at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is second to none and we strive to build on our success each year.

"It's wonderful to see horses that run here in December return six weeks later for the Dublin Racing Festival before going on to compete and win at the big spring meetings."

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