Review leopardstown 29th Dec

< Solwhit banished memories of his defeat in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle when running out an authoritative winner of the Leopardstown Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle.

Never far off a slow early gallop under Davy Russell, the 8-11 favourite took up the running on the turn for home.< Sublimity came from the back of the pack to throw down a challenge, but Solwhit finished strongly and went on to record a two-length success.

Paul Nicholls bagged his second Lexus Chase in three years when What A Friend (11-2) battled bravely to score.< Joncol and Notre Pere ensured a strong gallop and the former was still in front on the turn for home.

However, What A Friend had picked his way through the field and took it up on the run-in under Sam Thomas, before boxing on well to fend off the fast-finishing Money Trix by half a length.< Voler La Vedette stamped her class on the ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares Hurdle.

Colm Murphy's 1-3 chance beat a below-par Go Native at Down Royal last time and travelled well in this Listed contest for Paul Townend.

Jessica Harrington's duo of No One Tells Me and Zarinava gave chase, but Voler La Vedette wasn't overly extended to beat the former by two lengths.

Murphy completed a double when Zaarito sluiced up in the Ryans Event Cleaners Beginners Chase.

Denis O'Regan barely had to move on the 7-2 favourite as he coasted home eight lengths clear of Browns Baily < Scavenger (12-1) ended a sequence of falls when running out a gutsy winner of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.< Western Leader (7-2) was forced to pull out all the stops by Acapulco but he held on to land the Ryans Event Cleaners Maiden Hurdle.

Acapulco's trainer Edward O'Grady gained ample compensation when Fen Game (4-1) finished fast to land the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Hurdle under Andrew McNamara.