The Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt race in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse at the end of December during the Christmas Festival, over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres) and during its running there are 8 hurdles to be jumped. The race was originally run over 2 miles and 2 furlongs, before being reduced to its present distance in 1997. It was awarded Grade 1 status in 2008 and is seen as a key race prior to the Cheltenham Festival in March. The race is currently sponsored by the Paddy Power bookmaking company.