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 2 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 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 back in the exact same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.


The 2 horses were included in an awesome four-way battle at the front as they leapt the final fence, with Ewing's mount proving a reliable frontrunner for trainer O'Brien.


Having his very first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale overcame the obstacle of striking the 3rd of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to stay 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 favourite Majborough (6-4) finished third.


Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took full advantage after Talk The Talk fell at the last 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 eventual winner stylishly into contention but his mount looked booked for 2nd when Joseph O'Brien's opposition 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 might have been in line for an amazing three Grade One success in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to triumph.


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 took a trip like a dream the whole method and leapt like a dollar," told RTE after viewing his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.


"I thought looking at it live that we were beat, however 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 guarantee I would have won but I definitely wasn't beat'. He stated he truly liked the way he went from the last to the line.


"It happened 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 good horse and I think he'll remain further too. I 'd imagine he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."


Related subjects


Northern Ireland Sport


Horse Racing


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