A fairy-tale first winner at Leopardstown Christmas Festival brought jubilant and emotional scenes by the track and in the winner’s enclosure afterwards. “This is the greatest day of our lives since the tragedy in Berkeley,” said John Schuster, Nick’s father, in the winner’s enclosure after the race. Photograph: Tommy Dickson/InphoGood day for JP McManusAnother winner on the day, the Limerick racehorse owner and gambler JP McManus, was savouring a busy day at Leopardstown and several other tracks. “Don’t bet.”Tisamystery: the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse gave Harry Boland a second win on his second bet. “Second bet, second win,” he said proudly about his 14/1 wager before declaring that he would spend his winnings on “more bets and a few pints”.

Source: The Irish Times December 26, 2017 18:00 UTC