Dear Santa,

Here we come again looking for some reward for getting through another year in this bigger, badder world, with a smile on our faces and a cheer for the winners.

Melbourne is done for another year, but the desire to go is still there – get me that plane ticket.

I’d like to see more of Darwin too, no, not the Aussie city, the Nunez one. Can you send him some radar device to keep his shots on target? It’s about time we had some red ribbons on that PL Trophy again. And speaking of red ribbons and other sports, another good run to the Leinster Final and All-Ireland for the Wee County would be good, keep our Royal neighbours in envy.

I want a ‘Grand’ National, a 24-carat ‘Gold’ Cup, and a Hurdle that crowns a true Champion, with all the top hurdlers fit and ready to line up come March 18th.

And, most importantly, keep our horses and heroes, on the track and in the stable yards, fit, safe and well, keeping our great sport in the headlines for the right reasons.

We all want Brighterdaysahead!

Festive wishes,

Anne Marie Duff

Dear Santa,

You never fail to deliver a glut of racing for us to get our teeth stuck into over the festive period, but, this Christmas, the National Hunt calendar in Ireland is slightly different. We’ve lost the Grade 1 novice chase over two miles and a furlong run at Leopardstown on the 26th, leaving one less option than usual for the top Irish novice chasers.

With that in mind, my wish for Christmas is that we might finally see some Irish-trained horses have a crack at Kempton’s valuable novice chases over the festive period, because for some time they have been crying out for some quality challengers from this side of the Irish Sea.

The Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase was won by an aeroplane in Il Est Francais last year, but there have been some middling turnouts here of late for a race worth a cool £100,000. Four of the six runners completed in 2023, three of the five completed in 2022 and only four ran in 2021.

Kilbeg King, then rated 135, picked up Grade 1 blacktype last year, while the 132-rated Mortlach did the same 12 months earlier, when the prize was won by Thyme Hill. Strangely, there hasn’t been a single Irish challenger in the last seven years.

Likewise, there is a boosted prize fund of £75,000 (from £54,000) for the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase over two miles on the 27th at Kempton. There have only been four runners in each of the last four renewals and it’s certainly conceivable that Irish-trained runners can mix it here, based on last year’s running, won by Master Chewy.

Remarkably, though, there hasn’t been a single representative from these shores try to win the Wayward Lad since the race took its current format in 2000.

Willie Mullins has spoken about wanting another British National Hunt trainers’ title this season. If he sent some of his novice troops to Kempton, he would provide a real shot in the arm to races that often could do with a boost. Other Irish trainers could send challengers too. Now that would be some icing on the racing Christmas cake.

All the very best,

Mark Boylan

Dear Santa,

You doing OK?

I’ve been a bit worried about you and the herd to be honest. It’s been awfully mild and, with the going the way it is, I’d be a bit worried on the reindeer landings this year. Forecast seems to be shifting though Santa, so fingers crossed you’ll all be fine.

Time to fess up, I’ve not been that good this year Santa. My desk is a mess and I upheld none of last year’s New Year’s resolutions, I also got a speeding ticket. With that in mind, I’m going to keep my request humble. I’m clearly not in a position to ask for a Bluestocking filly, so if I may, could I just have a wee evening by a roaring fire with Declan O’Hara from Jilly Cooper’s Rivals please?

Love you Santa,

Helen Sharp

Dear Santa

I don’t suppose your elves have a time machine do they? I’d love to go back to Doncaster in 2021 and try my best to not have a career-ending fall. There’s nothing that I want more for Christmas than to race ride again…

Not that I’m ungrateful for my life now, but that would be pretty cool. I’ll leave it to you to figure out the logistics of that one.

If that’s not possible, either world peace or a Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany acoustic guitar will suffice...

Love

Amy Corrado

Dear Santa,

I’ve been wracking my brain and struggled to come up with any ideas. A gift voucher always seems to be a good idea when in doubt, so I’d like one for Goffs, please.

I don’t think it’s something they currently offer, but you are Santa after all. It will be too late to spend at this year’s foal sale, but I look forward to spending it next November.

Your loyal believer,

Amy Lynam

Dear Santa,

Standard Christmas wishes , health, happiness and a Range Rover Sport,

Thanks so much

Robyn x