Trainer Elliott Takes 2 Grade One Leopardstown Wins
Published
27 December 2025
Trainer Gordon Elliott declared two Grade One wins as part of a four-timer on the second day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, with jockey Sam Ewing also winning two of the major races.
Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou fought back under Ewing to beat stablemate Look for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase after Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the victorious jockey on that event.
Solness, ridden by Ewing, took victory for trainer Joseph O'Brien in the Club Chase Steeplechase in the other Grade One race of the day over the Irish course.
Solness (8-1) repeated his success of 12 months ago in the very same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.
The two horses were associated with a thrilling four-way battle at the front as they leapt the final fence, with Ewing's install showing a reliable frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered the problem of hitting the 3rd of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan doing well to stay in the saddle and then get his horse into contention on the confrontation.
"He is difficult as nails and he loves racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien told RTE after the race.
Pre-race preferred Majborough (6-4) completed third.
Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took full benefit after Talk The Talk fell at the last fence to clinch a success in the two-mile Novices Hurdle, the fallen horse having actually landed too steeply and not able to keep his balance.
Kennedy had actually moved the ultimate winner stylishly into contention however his mount looked booked for second when Joseph O'Brien's challenger accelerated remarkably to lead by half a length going to the last.
Ewing, who stepped in for the concussed JJ Slevin was on board Talk The Talk, so might have been in line for a remarkable 3 Grade One triumphes in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to triumph.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 preferred, came home with 5 lengths to spare over Carrigmoornaspruce (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in 3rd.
"The horse took a trip like a dream the entire method and jumped like a dollar," told RTE after enjoying his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.
"I believed looking at it live that we were beat, however when I took a look at the re-run, I wasn't sure [with] the way my lad galloped from the last to the line.
"Jack stated when he was available in 'I can't guarantee I would have won however I definitely wasn't beat'. He stated he really liked the method he went from the last to the line.
"It took place to us the other day [when El Cairos fell when in front at the last] however that's why it's called jump racing.
"He's a good horse and I think he'll stay even more as well. I 'd picture he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
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