A dominant display from the Closutton stable at the Leopardstown
Christmas Festival has helped cement Willie Mullins’ place as this season’s
leading trainer.
The veteran saddled 11 winners in the festive showpiece, including three of the seven Grade 1s as Ferny Hollow, Klassical Dream and Sharjah did the business.
Sir Gerhard and Facile Vega were also among Mullins’ success stories at Leopardstown while stable star Al Boum Photo returned to action in style by easing to victory in the Savills New Year’s Day Steeplechase at Tramore.
Gordon Elliott matched Mullins in returning from Leopardstown with three Grade 1 victories, courtesy of Mighty Potter, Galvin and Fury Road, while he also scooped the first Irish Grade 1 of 2022 as Ginto reigned supreme in the Slaney Novice Hurdle at
Naas.
Elliott remains Mullins’ nearest challenger in the leading trainers list while Henry de Bromhead, who saw Envoi Allen triumph in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase over Christmas, sits third.
Joseph O’Brien and Gavin Cromwell round off the top five, with the latter boosted by Brides Hill’s success in the Paddy Power I’ve Had More Vaccines Than Nights Out Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown.