<< <29th Dec 2025 – Leopardstown 14:32:00> >>

This was a proper Grade 1 two-mile hurdle, run honestly enough, but still a touch slower than ideal. The key thing: class rose to the top, and tactics played a big role.

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Race Shape

• Fair gallop, not brutal
• Pace distortion mid-race thanks to Anzadam pulling hard and stealing lengths
• Race re-set from 2 out
• Winner had to come off the bridle and actually fight

This wasn’t a procession despite the SP.

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Winner: Lossiemouth (4/6F)

RPR 160 | TS 122 | OR 159

This was professional rather than spectacular.

• Travelled strongly behind the pace
• Picked up cleanly when asked
• Slight right-hand drift late, but always holding Brighterdaysahead

She didn’t blow them away, but she did everything right and found when it mattered.

Verdict: Still the queen of the division. Not her peak figure, but a rock-solid Grade 1. You’d expect her to step forward again on a bigger spring target.

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2nd: Brighterdaysahead (5/2)

RPR 158 | TS 121 | OR 159

Ran a cracking race.

• Travelled smoothly
• Hit the front briefly
• Just couldn’t quite get past the winner

She lost nothing in defeat and arguably made Lossiemouth work harder than expected.

Verdict: Absolutely belongs at this level. If Lossiemouth ever underperforms, she’s the one waiting.

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3rd: Casheldale Lad (16/1)

RPR 159 | TS 122 | OR 148

Sneaky good run.

• Not fluent at a key moment
• Kept on strongly late
• Nearly nicked second

That RPR 159 jumps off the page given his mark.

Verdict: This seriously upgraded him. He’s better than a handicapper and worth keeping onside in strong Grade 2/1 company when the race sets up.

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4th: Anzadam (6/1)

RPR 159 | TS 121 | OR 157

The great tease.

• Pulled hard
• Stole a big lead
• Paid for it late

If you clock-watch this, he ran far better than the finishing position suggests.

Verdict: Talented but quirky. Needs cover and restraint. Dangerous if he ever settles.

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Others

• Hello Neighbour: Outclassed but not disgraced.
• Irancy: Never really travelled.
• Winter Fog: Passenger.
• Futurum Regem: Shouldn’t be here.

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Big Picture Takeaways

• Lossiemouth remains the benchmark, but she’s not untouchable
• Brighterdaysahead is a genuine Grade 1 mare
• Casheldale Lad is the eye-catcher for the future
• Race strength was solid, not elite — but the top two are top-drawer

Bottom line:
This wasn’t about brilliance — it was about control and composure. Lossiemouth had both. The rest were chasing, not failing.