Trainer Elliott Takes Two 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 also winning 2 of the major races.


Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou fought back under Ewing to beat stablemate Search for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase after Skylight Hustle had earlier won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the victorious jockey on that occasion.


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) repeated 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 involved in a thrilling four-way battle 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 the problem of striking the 3rd 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 confrontation.


"He's hard as nails and he likes racing at Leopardstown," winning trainer O'Brien informed RTE after the race.


Pre-race preferred Majborough (6-4) completed third.


Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took complete 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 however his mount looked reserved for second when Joseph O'Brien's opposition accelerated impressively 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 might have been in line for an amazing 3 Grade One success in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to success.


Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 preferred, 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 way and jumped like a buck," 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 can be found in 'I can't guarantee I would have won but I definitely wasn't beat'. He said he really liked the way he went from the last to the line.


"It happened to us the other day [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 even more as well. I 'd picture he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."


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