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 2nd day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, with jockey Sam Ewing likewise winning 2 of the major races.


Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou fought 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 Jack Kennedy the triumphant jockey on that occasion.


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 success of 12 months ago in the same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.


The 2 horses were associated with an awesome four-way fight at the front as they jumped the final fence, with Ewing's mount proving an efficient frontrunner for trainer O'Brien.


Having his very first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale overcame the problem of striking the 3rd of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to remain in the saddle and then get his horse into contention on the encounter.


"He's difficult as nails and he loves racing at Leopardstown," winning trainer 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 final fence to clinch a success in the two-mile Novices Hurdle, the fallen horse having landed too steeply and not able to keep his balance.


Kennedy had moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention however his install looked scheduled 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 an amazing 3 Grade One victories 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 third.


"The horse travelled like a dream the entire way and jumped like a buck," RTE after seeing his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.


"I thought taking a look at it live that we were beat, but 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 said when he can be found in 'I can't ensure I would have won but I certainly wasn't beat'. He said he truly liked the way he went from the last to the line.


"It happened to us the other day [when El Cairos fell when in front at the last] but that's why it's called jump racing.


"He's a good horse and I think he'll stay further also. I 'd picture he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."


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