The feature race on the fourth and final day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown is the 2m Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle (2:20). Two exceptional horses, Istabraq and Hurricane Fly, have won this four times before. Sharjah is all the rage to add his name to that exclusive club after landing the spoils in each of the last three seasons. Is there any case against the favourite? Read 2021 Matheson Hurdle tips from SportsLens experts to find out.
Six of the last dozen favourites have won this race, although none have been successful since 2015. Nine of the 12 most recent winners had an official rating of 156 or higher, and only Sharjah ticks that box from this year’s field of six.