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 second day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, with jockey Sam Ewing also winning two of the major races.
Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou fought back under Ewing to beat stablemate Look for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase Skylight Hustle had earlier won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the triumphant jockey on that event.
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 victory of 12 months earlier in the same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.
The two horses were associated with an awesome four-way battle at the front as they leapt the last fence, with Ewing's mount showing an effective frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his very first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale overcame the obstacle of hitting the 3rd of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to remain in the saddle and after that get his horse into contention on the encounter.
"He's difficult as nails and he likes racing at Leopardstown," winning trainer 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 unable to keep his balance.
Kennedy had moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention but his install looked booked for second when Joseph O'Brien's challenger sped up remarkably 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 three Grade One victories in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to victory.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 favourite, came home with five lengths to spare over (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in third.
"The horse travelled like a dream the entire method and jumped like a dollar," Elliott told RTE after enjoying his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.
"I thought taking a look at it live that we were beat, but when I looked 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 guarantee I would have won but I absolutely wasn't beat'. He stated he really 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 dive racing.
"He's a great horse and I believe he'll remain further too. I 'd imagine he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
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