The 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 2 miles. The race was originally run over 2 miles and 2 furlongs, before being run over the present distance from 1997 onwards. It was awarded Grade 1 status in 2004 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.