Trainer Elliott Takes 2 Grade One Leopardstown Wins
Published
27 December 2025
Trainer Gordon Elliott declared 2 Grade One wins as part of a four-timer on the 2nd day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, with jockey Sam Ewing also winning 2 of the major races.
Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou battled back under Ewing to beat stablemate Search for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase after Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with the triumphant jockey on that celebration.
Solness, ridden by Ewing, took victory for fitness instructor Joseph O'Brien in the Club Chase Steeplechase in the other Grade One race of the day over the Irish course.
Solness (8-1) duplicated his victory of 12 months ago in the very same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.
The 2 horses were included in a thrilling four-way battle at the front as they leapt the last fence, with Ewing's mount showing an efficient frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his very first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered the setback of hitting the 3rd of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan doing well to remain in the saddle and then get his horse into contention on the run-in.
"He's hard as nails and he loves racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien informed RTE after the race.
Pre-race preferred Majborough (6-4) ended up third.
Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took complete benefit after Talk The Talk fell at the final 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 moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention but his install looked reserved for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's opposition quickened 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 success in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to victory.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 favourite, got home with five lengths to spare over Carrigmoornaspruce (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in 3rd.
"The horse travelled like a dream the whole way and leapt like a dollar," Elliott informed RTE after enjoying his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.
"I believed taking a look at it live that we were beat, but when I looked at the re-run, I wasn't sure [with] the method my lad galloped from the last to the line.
"Jack stated when he was available in 'I can't guarantee I would have won but I certainly wasn't beat'. He said he actually liked the way he went from the last to the line.
"It happened to us yesterday [when El Cairos fell when in front at the last] however that's why it's called dive racing.
"He's an excellent horse and I believe he'll stay even more also. I 'd imagine he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
Related subjects
Northern Ireland Sport
Horse Racing
More on this story
Latest horse racing results