Some 15,000 people make an annual pilgrimage to Leopardstown for the first day of the Christmas racing festival on Monday. RACHEL MURPHYhas the inside track
Hats and fizz, totes and tips . . . all the fun of the races
What's the big deal about St Stephen's Day racing?December 25th is just one of two days in the year when the racing calendar is always empty, Good Friday being the other one. Punters feeling withdrawal symptoms flock to Leopardstown on the 26th for the start of the four-day meeting. For the rest of us, it's a relief from being cooped up with the family, and a chance to show off Christmas clothes.
Any tips?Arrive early: It's one of the busiest meetings of the national-hunt season.
Do I have to buy tickets in advance?Tickets can be purchased online from goracing.ie for €20, or €25 at the gate. Students/OAP admission costs €15. Gates open 10.30am.
What is the big race on the card?The Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase.
What to wear?Something warm – a wool coat is key. We like camel for the girls and tweeds for the guys. Bare legs are a no-no, and black or opaque tights will look perfect next to your courts or boots. Heidi Higgins is a favourite designer among the horsey set and her customers often feature among the finalists during the best-dressed judging. Guys, it's a day for looking smart. Trousers, not trackies, a jacket not a hoodie, brogues not runners.
Accessories . . .Binoculars are a must. All the better if they're festooned with annual badges.
Hip flasks?Yes, it's usually freezing up there in the cheap seats.
How to avoid the traffic?Take the Luas: it stops nearby, and comes out from St Stephen's Green.
Where to start?Make a beeline for the new marquee beside the parade ring, where there'll be tipsters on hand. Study the form – carrying a copy of The Irish Fieldwill make you look like you know what you're doing – before heading down to the parade ring ahead of the first race at 12.30pm.
What should I look for in the parade ring?It's all about the character of the horse, says Caroline Davis of Leopardstown Racecourse. You're looking for a horse that's spirited but relaxed, dancing on their toes but not about to make a dash for the exit. Frothing at the mouth is usually a no-no, as is sweating up. Looks are important – a clean, shiny coat, a well-groomed mane and tail, painted hooves and quarter markings show a horse has been well looked after and is race ready. Then again, you could just pick your lucky number, your favourite colour or the prettiest horse. It can work just as well.
Look out for: Bono and Ali, they're usually in the stands. Charlie McCreevy, Michael and Anita O'Leary, Charlie Chawke and Jim Sheridan are safe enough bets too. Equestrian artist Chára Nagle will be sipping a drink with friends while looking for inspiration. Look out for members of the newly formed Trinity College Horseracing Society, headed by Jack Cantillon. Their lovely horse, Local Celebrity, might well be running.
Best sound of the day: Winner alright, Winner alright.
What to eat:If you're not in one of the boxes, or in the Pavilion corporate entertainment hub, then head to the chipper van. At least they're hot.
€€€€€:Bring cash to avoid listening to the big race from the ATM queue.
For afters:We like the Galloping Green pub, but only if the winner is buying. It's a favourite with the hunting set too. But go easy, there are three more days at the same pace as the festival continues until December 29th.
Anywhere else to go racing after Christmas? Yes, Down Royal, just outside of Lisburn, Co Antrim, and Limerick Racecourse, which hosts the Grade 2 Greenmount Park Novice Chase, both on St Stephen's Day.
INDEX: WHAT'S HOT
The 7am blow dryIf you're reading this in the hairdressers and it's still dark outside, congratulations, you're ahead of the game
Slider XB ballpointsGlide across the page, strangely addictive, made by Schneider, and not much more than €2
TrifleFashionable again, but for many of us it has always been stellar
The Christmas pedicureIt helps somehow, even if it's just varnishing your own toes
Forgiving friends . . .You've hit the wall and just can't make lunch/mulled wine/annual drinks down the local. It's so nice to be let off the hook
StovesBuying them, installing them, deciding where to put them – stoves are the dominant topic of conversation at the moment
A virgin roll of SellotapeThe best accessory we can think of today
Free family art classes in the National GalleryNext Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3pm-4pm, no booking needed. Forty-five years helping little Picassos
The Christmas boxCome on, the postman delivers in all weathers and it's a good service. He and the bin men deserve a few bob
WHAT'S COLD
The alcohol flushAn occupational hazard for many females over 40 taking even one drink in a centrally heated atmosphere. Scarlet for you, and we've no solution, sorry
Christmas card guiltPeaks today, just before it's absolutely too late to do anything about it. The unexpected card from your neighbour, from those lovely people you met on holiday, CCG gets us all in the end
Brain foodIrish Mensa has come up with its own cook book, I-Quisine. Should it not be too busy devising solutions to our current crises?
The salesShop workers everywhere, we feel your pain
AngoraFluff gets up your nose
CelebrationsThey're delicious but rather difficult to unwrap. Could this design flaw be ironed out by next Christmas, please?
LouboutinsThose red soles seem a bit like the ghost of Christmases past, somehow. Time they went into storage?
