Three to savour: legendary commentator Dessie Scahill's Leopardstown memories

As the countdown to the Leopardstown Christmas festival continues, recently retired commentator Dessie Scahill speaks to Mark Boylan about some of the standout horses to have won at the Dublin track over the festive period

Hurricane Fly

There were some memorable Leopardstown clashes down the years involving Hurricane Fly, who produced some fantastic performances with five wins at the Christmas festival.

His win over Jezki and Our Conor in 2013 set up a brilliant Irish Champion Hurdle the following month when he really stamped himself the leader of his generation.

Watch Hurricane Fly win the 2013 Ryanair Hurdle

Ruby Walsh looks back at Jezki and Our Conor when winning the 2013 Ryanair Hurdle on Hurricane FlyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The crowd always got behind him and he was one who really excited everyone over Christmas. He generated interest like only top-class horses can.

Tidal Bay

Tidal Bay's Lexus Chase win in 2012 was just unbelievable – you would never have thought he'd have a chance of winning from where he came from.

The others in front looked set to battle out the finish but Ruby [Walsh] got a fantastic run out of Tidal Bay to come home between horses.

Watch Tidal Bay's 2012 Lexus Chase victory

Tidal Bay (second right) wins a race for the ages in the 2012 Lexus Chase at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A finish like that is great and the atmosphere from the crowd lifts you in the commentary box.

Istabraq

There are plenty of top-class winners of the big two-mile hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas festival to choose from but Istabraq won it four times and holds the record for the most wins in the race alongside Hurricane Fly.

He served up some superb performances there and of course went on to do great things at Cheltenham, just like plenty of the champions on the roll of honour for this race have done.

Istabraq ran 12 times at Leopardstown during his career, winning on ten occasions and falling on the other twoCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Scahill on the magic of Leopardstown

The Christmas festival has always been vital in deciding the pecking order of where the leading horses stand.

Horses like Douvan and Footpad really got the crowd going with their early runs over fences and it's a fixture that can really put horses high on shortlists for the Cheltenham Festival.

The acid test that novices in particular face at Leopardstown sets them up for the top-level races for later in the season.

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