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 likewise 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 event.
Solness, ridden by Ewing, took success 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 earlier in the exact same race as he edged out (2-1) by half a length.
The two horses were associated with an exhilarating four-way fight at the front as they leapt the final fence, with Ewing's install showing a reliable frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his 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 doing well to stay in the saddle and after that get his horse into contention on the confrontation.
"He's tough as nails and he enjoys racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien told RTE after the race.
Pre-race favourite Majborough (6-4) completed third.
Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took complete advantage 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 but his install looked booked for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's opposition sped up 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 impressive three 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 took a trip like a dream the entire method and jumped 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, 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 was available in 'I can't guarantee I would have won however I absolutely wasn't beat'. He said he truly liked the method he went from the last to the line.
"It occurred to us yesterday [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 think he'll remain further as well. I 'd imagine he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
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