THE Christmas racing period is just around the corner and Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal are expecting bumper crowds for their festive fixtures.

Corporate hospitality for three of the four days at Leopardstown is already sold out, as are some of the bundle packages for racegoers. General admission is €35 each day if tickets are bought online in advance. A flexi-ticket is priced at €45 and premium level access is €95 per day.

Before racing each day there will be an expert preview broadcast from the Festival Marquee at approximately 10.45am. There is live music after racing each day too, both in the Racing Hall and the Marquee.

Leopardstown’s race programme has been slightly tweaked, with the result that the Grade 1 race on the opening day (December 26th) is the three-mile novice chase, sponsored by Racing Post. Day two is ‘Paddy Power’ day, as usual, with two Grade 1 races - a two-mile novice hurdle and a two-mile chase. This meeting attracted over 17,000 punters last year.

The third day’s highlight is the Savills Chase over three miles, which is expected to see a rematch between recent Punchestown runners Fact To File and Galopin Des Champs. The three-mile Christmas Hurdle is the day’s second Grade 1 and is likely to feature both Teahupoo and Home By The Lee.

Sunday, December 29th is the fourth and final day of the Christmas Festival, and is billed as a day for all the family with face painters, games and bouncy castles promised.

On the track the focus will be on the two-mile December Hurdle and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.

Limerick buses

Leopardstown is not the only track running shuttle buses for customers over Christmas. At Limerick there will be buses running from Limerick city to the racecourse each day.

Limerick’s Christmas Festival will kick off on December 26th with Big Boss Events bringing the Big Boss Top to racegoers, adding a flair of festival fun to the day.

Ladies Day will take place on day two, when Holman Lee Agency models are set to dazzle in a fashion show, showcasing local and regional boutiques. Later, Munster take on Leinster in a rugby clash between rivals which attendees can stay and enjoy at the racecourse.

Day three will see the prestigious Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase, with prize money of €100,000 up for grabs. This is the race which provided such drama last year as Gaelic Warrior had to fight to get past stable companion Il Etait Temps. Both horses went on to great things at the spring festivals.

A family fun day, in association with Horse Racing Ireland, will round off the festivities on December 29th. Day four is set to be a blast for kids, with play and games areas, carnival rides, and more.

Mr Binman is again the title sponsor of the Limerick Christmas Festival. Racecourse CEO Michael Lynch said: “It’s a brilliant partnership for Limerick Racecourse and their continued sponsorship for our four-day Christmas Festival is key to its success and a key driver for our sustainability goals. I must also acknowledge the wonderful support of all our other sponsors and in particular McMahon Builders Providers, Diageo, Lyons of Limerick, Campion Insurance and Quinnbet.

“The team are working really hard to put on a great four-day Festival and we are really looking forward to opening our gates on St Stephen’s Day – I’d advise everyone to come early, avail of the bus service and enjoy some great racing.”

General admission tickets for adults are €25 on St Stephen’s Day and just €20 on the other three days.

Down Royal

All hospitality packages for Down Royal on December 26th are sold out.

There’s just general admission tickets left and they are good value at only £20, which includes your racecard.

This fixture is sponsored by Metcollect Ltd, a leader in metal and hazardous waste recycling.

Gates open at Down Royal at 10.30am with the first race due off at 11.40am.