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 second day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, with jockey Sam Ewing also winning two of the significant races.


Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou fought back under Ewing to beat stablemate Search for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the victorious 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 ago in the exact same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.


The 2 horses were included in an fight at the front as they jumped the last fence, with Ewing's mount showing an effective frontrunner for trainer O'Brien.


Having his first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered the obstacle of striking the third of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to stay in the saddle and after that get his horse into contention on the run-in.


"He is difficult as nails and he loves racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien told RTE after the race.


Pre-race favourite Majborough (6-4) finished 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 ultimate winner stylishly into contention but his mount looked scheduled for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's challenger accelerated 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 might have been in line for an exceptional 3 Grade One triumphes in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to success.


Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 favourite, got home with 5 lengths to spare over Carrigmoornaspruce (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in third.


"The horse took a trip like a dream the entire method and leapt like a dollar," Elliott informed RTE after watching his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.


"I believed looking at it live that we were beat, however when I looked at the re-run, I wasn't sure [with] the way my lad galloped from the last to the line.


"Jack said when he was available in 'I can't guarantee I would have won however I definitely wasn't beat'. He stated he actually liked the method he went from the last to the line.


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


"He's a great horse and I think he'll stay further as well. I 'd envision he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."


Related subjects


Northern Ireland Sport


Horse Racing


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