This weekend, Fairyhouse Racecourse is being primed and ready as Irish National Hunt racing once again takes centre stage. On Saturday and Sunday, the legendary Winter Festival returns, offering plenty of high-profile jumps races that will have racing fans on the edge of their seat.
Fairyhouse is situated in Co. Meath and has a classic National Hunt track that certainly tests the best horses in the game with not only their stamina but also their jumping ability. Only the very best succeed at this venue.
Over the course of the weekend, both elite hurdlers and novice chasers will tackle a variety of distances and graded races, as old stars return to familiar territory while emerging names are certain to capture the attention of punters ahead of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Let’s get stuck into what is going to be a very interesting two days in Ireland.
Race breakdown – Saturday 29th November
Day one of the Fairyhouse Winter Festival opens its doors at 10:00am, with the first race scheduled to start at 11:36am if all goes to plan. The weather forecast looks set to be dry this weekend, which means that all races will go ahead. The quality of the racing only grows throughout the day, building up plenty of excitement for seasoned racing pros or those looking to find out what all the fuss is about.
Everyone is intrigued to know more about the feature, and Saturday’s is a belter. The Grade B EasyFix Handicap Chase, with a prize fund of €50,000, is always a race that punters are keen to have a look at due to the sheer number of experienced chasers looking to come away with the prize pot.
As well as the feature race on Saturday, the card itself looks to be a cracker, and includes a variety of interesting contests – there’s the SIS Beginners’ Chase, an Irish-bred mares’ handicap chase, maiden hurdle the Mullinam Hurdle, a rated novice hurdle, and a National Hunt flat race to wrap up the day.
For those in attendance, racing spectators can enjoy Irish band Wolfhound, who will provide live music once the action has finished.
Race breakdown – Sunday 30th November
Sunday’s card looks even more intriguing than the opening day of the Fairyhouse Winter Festival. Although the gates once again open at 10:00am, the first race begins at 12:05pm. With a busier crowd anticipated, this gives everyone the opportunity to take their positions ahead of a huge day of top-tier racing.
This is the day that draws the big guns. That’s because the card features two Grade 1 contests. The first is the Bar 1 Racing Drinmore Novice Chase, and this is followed by the Bar 1 Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. We must also mention the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, which is also very popular among punters.
The Bar 1 Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle certainly catches the eye. Over the years, we’ve witnessed some of the best horses in the game scoop the prize.
Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle won this race in 2021, before Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo won it in 2022 and 2023. He wasn’t able to make it three in a row, coming second to Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth last year. Mullins’ superstar has been entered once again this year to try to repeat last year’s heroics.
However, so has Teahupoo, who will be hoping to regain his status as a Fairyhouse specialist. Competition will come from David Harry Kelly’s Glen Kiln, who is regarded as one of Ireland’s most promising hurdlers and is a major contender to disrupt the market favourites.
Keep an eye on Ballyburn and Wodhooh, who both have outside chances if those at the top of the market aren’t at the top of their game.
After the racing has finished, there’s an opportunity for racing fans to head to the autograph zone and meet some of their heroes, with Rachael Blackmore set to be in attendance.
Notable Irish-trained and owned horses
The best Irish trainers dominate the feature races, hoping to land the biggest prizes as well as the glory on home turf.
As mentioned, in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, the defending champion Lossiemouth – trained by Willie Mullins – returns to Fairyhouse with strong expectations to come out on top once again.
Last year, she delivered a commanding performance from the front and she remains one of the standout hurdlers in the field. Her main rival will be Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, who has two previous titles in this race to his name.
However, Elliott has two entries, and another horse up his sleeve is Wodhooh, a mare that is currently unbeaten on Irish soil.
In the Drinmore Novice Chase, the current line-up looks just as intriguing. Willie Mullins’ Gold Dancer is pure class and has exceptional proven jumping ability.
However, Henry de Bromhead will have his say with Slade Steel, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner who returns to chasing after a layoff. Slade Steel brings plenty of top-level experience to the table that will have other entries worried.
Ol Man Dingle, an Eoin Griffin favourite, offers a more sentimental story – a genuine, tough novice who looks more than ready to punch above his weight against some well-established names.
Keep an eye on all confirmed entries from Willie Mullins, Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and others as we get closer to the weekend and the ground is officially confirmed.
Predictions for the Winter Festival
The Fairyhouse Winter Festival often draws in plenty of bettors and it’s not difficult to see why with the high-profile horses set to run. We’re still waiting for confirmation from plenty of the big yards, and any noticeable market movers must be taken very seriously in the build-up to the weekend.
Putting on our punting hats as we search for winners, here’s how the key races might play out.
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (Grade 1)
Lossiemouth is without doubt a proven Grade 1 performer, and returning to the scene of her previous triumph, it’s no surprise to see Willie Mullins’ contender as the market leader. The way that Lossiemouth brushed Teahupoo – a previous double winner – to one side last year may just show the difference in class between the two horses. Lossiemouth is our preferred bet – and our best bet for the Festival.
There’s no doubt that Teahupoo poses a serious threat, but he will need Lossiemouth to have an off day if he is to reverse the result from 2024.
For those looking away from the top two in the market, both Ballyburn and Glen Kiln may bring pace and energy to the contest. However, they might struggle against the market leaders.
Therefore, our prediction and best bet is with Lossiemouth, who should go very close if Mullins’ horse repeats last year’s run.
Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1)
Gold Dancer is the logical favourite, particularly because his jumping ability is the best in the line-up. Coming from a top stable, it’s difficult to see past Gold Dancer not finishing at least in the top two.
If Gold Dancer is to have an off day, all eyes will be firmly on Slade Steel, who returns to fences with impressive credentials. If he performs to his previous level, he could well mount a strong challenge to the market leader.
Ol Man Dingle brings genuine determination, and if he finds his rhythm, he has the stamina and jumping ability to stay involved.
However, we firmly believe that Gold Dancer will come out on top, with Slade Steel following him home in second place.
Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)
At the moment, runners are yet to be confirmed, but this race will certainly attract several Irish-trained runners, which could certainly make it a more wide-open contest. In such a competitive field, an Irish trainee showing progressive form could take advantage – which is why it will be very important to watch the money in the lead-up to the race.
Where to follow the odds
The Fairyhouse Winter Festival once again promises a weekend where the racing speaks for itself. Whether you’re in attendance or tuning in from home, this is a meeting that brings out the best of the Irish National Hunt. With so many seasoned champions set to return to Fairyhouse, this is the perfect weekend of racing to get stuck into.
For fans looking to place bets on the Festival, Tonybet will be offering plenty of markets across the racecards for both Saturday and Sunday, alongside some boosts on the feature races.
Make sure to keep an eye on Tonybet’s sportsbook, which will offer some of the best competitive odds on the day.
If you’re heading to Fairyhouse, dress warmly and soak up the atmosphere, and use your mobile device to keep up to date with the latest market movers and place your bets with Tonybet. Please remember to gamble responsibly.
