Leopardstown 27th December 1996 Istabraq, Arkle & AP McCoy

Here's a bit of an unusual treat. It comes from the freezing cold Christmas of 1996 when we lost the Welsh National. The BBC decided to give us four races from Leopardstown presented by Julian Wilson & Peter Scudamore. What a treat. Richard Dunwoody has a clutch of rides and a winner and top Novice Hurdler fresh from John Gosden's yard sadly due to go to the ill fated John Durkan, is being temporarily trained by Aiden O'Brien. Of course he scoots up here to register his 2nd victory over hurdles before going on to Cheltenham glory. There's a rerun of the previous Saturday's Betware Cup at Ascot won by Go Ballistic with AP on Board and a great post race interview. There's a very rare documentary from Peter Bromley about Arkle made in B/W from the period. A rerun of the 96 National won by Rough Quest and Frankie's Magnificent Seven.