2025 December Hurdle Tips - Could Willie's second string upset the two mares?
The December Hurdle at Leopardstown Christmas Festival features elite hurdlers like Lossiemouth and Anzadam in what promises to be an exciting race. Lossiemouth, fresh from success in the Morgiana Hurdle, and Brighterdaysahead, known for her powerful performance last year, headline the field. Anzadam, although recently outpaced at Newcastle, shows potential for improvement and is seen as a strong contender. The article offers betting tips for this Grade One race, recommending Anzadam as a promising choice due to his youth and potential growth after his initial seasonal run.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 December Hurdle
- This Grade One headlines day four of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival on Monday 29th December
- Anzadam is our selection at 5/1
The fourth and final day at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is headlined by the December Hurdle. This two-mile Grade One has been won by legendary names like Istabraq and Hurricane Fly, and one of this generation's leading hurdlers tops the market for Monday's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 December Hurdle, including our best betting tips.
2025 December Hurdle Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Lossiemouth | 4/7 |
| Brighterdaysahead | 9/2 |
| Anzadam | 5/1 |
| Irancy | 18/1 |
| Bar | 33/1 |
2025 December Hurdle Runners
Lossiemouth headed to Kempton at Christmas last year, and ran well when second to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle. With State Man out for the season, Lossiemouth remained in Ireland to pick up the Morgiana Hurdle on her reappearance, and the three-time Cheltenham Festival winner dominates this betting heat.
State Man was flattened in this race 12 months ago by Brighterdaysahead, who produced a rampant performance to score by 30 lengths. Gordon Elliott had intended to send his mare chasing this term, but ran out of time to get his stable star in a Beginners Chase, and has instead supplemented her for this Grade One.
Fighting Fifth runner-up, Anzadam joins Lossiemouth in the field, along with stablemates Irancy and Winter Fog. Two-time Listed winner Casheldale Lad will also represent Gordon Elliott.
Gavin Cromwell has handed an entry to Spring Juvenile Hurdle winner Hello Neighbour. Hugh Finnegan's dual-purpose operator, Futurum Regem completes the line-up.
2025 December Hurdle Tips
Lossiemouth has only been beaten three times in 15 career starts. Two of those three defeats have come around Leopardstown, with Mullins' mare losing to Gala Marceaux as a juvenile before a heavy fall in last year's Irish Champion Hurdle. Paul Townend's mount is extremely effective around a stamina-favoured track like Cheltenham. Maybe this test of speed isn't her cup of tea?
Brighterdaysahead produced a stunning performance in this race last year, and Gordon Elliott's horses could hardly be in better form. King Of Kingsfield set the race up perfectly for Jack Kennedy's mount 12 months ago, and I expect Casheldale Lad will be on pace-making duties this time around.
Then there's ANZADAM (5/1), who suffered defeat on his reappearance in the Fighting Fifth. With Constitution Hill out of the picture, Willie Mullins' raider looked ready to strike when The New Lion fell two from home, but Anzadam didn't pick up as well as expected, and had to settle for second behind Champion Hurdle winner, Golden Ace.
Townend's mount was very keen throughout the Fighting Fifth, which didn't come as a surprise. Mullins' five-year-old was having just his fifth career start that day, and Anzadam had worn a hood on all four of his previous starts.
Anzadam was making both his British and his Grade One debut at Newcastle, and it was the first time that he had been in a proper battle. The atmosphere in the stands was raucous before the off, but fans were shocked into silence twice by the high-profile fallers, which can't have been easy for the horses to cope with. Taking everything into account, I don't think Mullins' raider performed badly at all.
Given his age and inexperience, there's a good chance that Anzadam will have improved for that seasonal reappearance. A fast pace will suit a speedy gelding who likes to get on with things and, in Patrick Mullins, he'll be partnered by a jockey who has won this Grade One on four occasions.
Live Stream
Visit our December Hurdle Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Monday's races from Leopardstown via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Anzadam is our selection in the 2025 December Hurdle.
Anzadam
2025 December Hurdle
@5/1 - 5 Units
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