Trainer Elliott Takes Two 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 likewise winning two of the significant races.


Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou battled back under Ewing to beat stablemate Search for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase Skylight Hustle had earlier 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) duplicated his success of 12 months back in the exact same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.


The 2 horses were associated with an exhilarating four-way battle at the front as they leapt the last fence, with Ewing's mount showing a reliable frontrunner for trainer O'Brien.


Having his very first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered the problem of striking the third of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan doing well to remain in the saddle and after that get his horse into contention on the altercation.


"He's hard as nails and he likes racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien informed 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 landed too steeply and not able to keep his balance.


Kennedy had actually moved the ultimate winner stylishly into contention but his mount looked scheduled for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's challenger sped up 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 could have been in line for a remarkable three Grade One victories in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to victory.


Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 preferred, got home with 5 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 jumped like a dollar," Elliott informed RTE after enjoying his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.


"I thought taking a look 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 said when he was available in 'I can't ensure I would have won but I definitely wasn't beat'. He said 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] however that's why it's called dive racing.


"He's a great horse and I think he'll remain further also. I 'd envision he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."


Related subjects


Northern Ireland Sport


Horse Racing


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