Trainer Elliott Takes 2 Grade One Leopardstown Wins
Published
27 December 2025
Trainer Gordon Elliott claimed 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 Look for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase after Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the triumphant jockey on that celebration.
Solness, ridden by Ewing, took success 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 triumph of 12 months earlier in the very same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.
The two horses were associated with an awesome four-way fight at the front as they jumped the final fence, with Ewing's mount proving an effective frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his very first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered the problem of hitting the third of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to stay in the saddle and then get his horse into contention on the confrontation.
"He's difficult as nails and he enjoys racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien informed RTE after the race.
Pre-race favourite Majborough (6-4) ended up 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 unable to keep his balance.
had actually moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention however his mount looked reserved for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's challenger quickened impressively to lead by half a length going to the last.
Ewing, who actioned in for the concussed JJ Slevin was on board Talk The Talk, so could have been in line for a remarkable 3 Grade One victories in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to success.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 preferred, 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 entire method and leapt like a buck," Elliott told RTE after viewing 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 method my lad galloped from the last to the line.
"Jack stated when he came in 'I can't ensure I would have won but I absolutely wasn't beat'. He stated he truly liked the way he went from the last to the line.
"It occurred 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 great horse and I believe he'll remain further as well. I 'd envision he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
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