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Unpredictable script takes one twist too many as even Faugheen fluffs his lines

David Jennings on a day when a star failed to shine

Mick Jazz with trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Davy Russell after the Ryanair Hurdle
Mick Jazz with trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Davy Russell after the Ryanair HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

Who on earth booked Stephen King to write the script for this year's Christmas festival at Leopardstown? Shame on you.

Faugheen was one twist too many. We could take the stewards reversing Min and Simply Ned. We got on with it after Mengli Khan crashed through the wing of the second-last hurdle and seconds later Sharjah and Real Steel came down in tandem at the last. That's racing.

We liked Sizing John's predictability, we adored Yorkhill's raw ability and we constantly complimented Djakadam for his consistency. Yet, in one fell swoop in the Christmas Chase, all three came up short. But that can happen in Grade 1s.

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