Christmas served up a succession of high-class races but we don’t have to wait long before the first Grade One contests of 2019 (at Sandown on Saturday 5th January and Naas on Sunday 6th January).
Also, New Year’s Day in Britain includes a classy card at Cheltenham, backed up by some valuable races at Musselburgh and Exeter.
Here are the main details on Ireland’s and Britain’s horse racing between Monday 31st December and Sunday 6th January 2019, starting in Ireland.
Racing in Ireland between December 31st and January 6th
Monday 31 December
Punchestown (12:15pm) – The card contains €20,000 2m4f hurdle at 1:20pm and a €20,000 handicap hurdle at 2:25pm
Racing today @punchestownrace always a nice friendly meeting to finish off the year #ComeRacing pic.twitter.com/VaLSN9hLqe
— David Betts (@davidbetts3213) December 31, 2018
Tuesday 1 January
Fairyhouse (12:20pm) – The feature race is the €20,000 3m1f Fairyhouse Handicap ‘Chase (3:15pm)
Tramore (midday) – The feature race is the €30,000 Savills ‘A Different Outlook’ ‘Chase (a Listed race, 2m5f) at 2:20pm
Wednesday 2 January
No racing in Ireland
Thursday 3 January
No racing in Ireland
Friday 4 January
Dundalk (5:30pm) – The year gets under way at the all-weather flat track with a card that features a €17,00012-furlong handicap
Saturday 5 January
Cork (12:20pm) – The card’s feature is the €25,000 www.corkracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle (1:55pm, 2m4f)
Sunday 6 January
Naas (TBCpm) – The card feature’s Ireland’s first Grade 1 race of 2019, the €90,000 Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle (1:45pm, 2m4f)
Racing in Britain between December 31st and January 6th
Monday 31 December
Lingfield (12:10pm) – A flat meeting on the all-weather surface, with the feature being a £19,000 mile handicap at 2:20pm
Warwick (12:25pm) – a jumping card
Uttoxeter (12:35pm) – a jumping card
Tuesday 1 January
Cheltenham (12:15pm) – A valuable card that includes the following races:
- Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Listed Race, 2m4.5f), 12:15pm, £25,000)
- A £25,000 3m2f handicap chase (12:50pm)
- Grade 2 Dipper Novices’ Chase (£35,000, 2m4f127y, 1:25pm)
- Grade 3 handicap chase (£75,000, 2m4f127y, 2pm)
- A £25,000 handicap hurdle (2m7f213y, 2:35pm)
- Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (£50,000, 2m4f, 3:10pm)
- A £25,000 Listed bumper
We could see a host of previous Cheltenham winners on course for New Year's Day.
Including…
🏇Laurina
🏇Apple's Shakira
🏇Defi du Seuil
🏇Cogry
🏇CoolanlyYou can still get your tickets here 👉https://t.co/m1vyNyn4Sg
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) December 28, 2018
Catterick (12:25pm) – a jumping card
Musselburgh (12:30pm) – where the card includes:
- The £23,800 Hair Of The Dog Handicap Hurdle (1:05pm, 2m7f180y)
- The £31,400 “Auld Reekie” Handicap Chase (1:40pm, 2m4f)
- The £31,400 Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle (2:!5pm, 1m7f,124y)
Southwell (12:35pm) – A flat card on the all-weather track that which features a £17,000 5f handicap at 1:45pm and a £17,000 7f handicap at 2:20pm
Exeter (12:40pm) – A card that features the following races:
- £21,300 David Lewis Cullompton Pipeline Handicap Chase (2:25pm, 3m54y)
- £20,200 Hartnoll Hotel Beginners’ Chase (3pm, 2m1f109y)
Fakenham (12:45pm) – a jumping card
Wednesday 2 January
Ayr (12:30pm) – A card that features the £15,800 Feazer Coogans Handicap Hurdle (2:40pm, 2m5f91y)
Wolverhampton (12:40pm) – a flat card on the all-weather surface that features a £20,000 fillies’ Conditions Stakes race, an All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier (7f36y)
Hereford (12:50pm) – a jumping card
Newcastle (3:35pm) – a flat card on the all-weather surface
Thursday 3 January
Ludlow (12:45pm) – a jumping card
Southwell (12:55pm) – a flat card on the all-weather surface
Chelmsford (4:10pm) – a flat card on the all-weather surface, one that features a £20,000 5f handicap at 5:55pm
Friday 4 January
Lingfield Park (12:30pm) – a jumping card that begins with a bumper on the all-weather track and then continues on the turf course
Wetherby (12:45pm) – a jumping card
Kempton Park (2:10pm) – a flat card on the all-weather surface that features a £25,000 Conditions Stakes race, an All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier (6f)
Wolverhampton (4:05pm) – a flat card on the all-weather surface
Saturday 5 January
Kempton Park (TBC) – a flat card on the all-weather surface
Lingfield Park (TBC) – a flat card on the all-weather surface
Newcastle (TBC) – a jumping card
Sandown (TBC) – a meeting that features the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle but also includes a Listed mares’ hurdle and a veterans’ chase
Wincanton (TBC) – Newcomers’ Day – a meeting designed to welcome people who may be new to horse racing
Sunday 6 January
Newcastle (TBC) – a flat card on the all-weather surface
Plumpton (12:40pm) – It is Sky Sports Racing Sussex National day at the track, with the big race being due off at 2:40pm