Trainer Elliott Takes Two Grade One Leopardstown Wins

Published


27 December 2025


Trainer Gordon Elliott claimed two 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 significant races.


Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou battled back under Ewing to beat stablemate Look for Glory to win the Paddy Power Chase Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the victorious 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 triumph of 12 months back in the same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.


The two horses were included in a thrilling four-way battle at the front as they jumped 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 setback of striking the third of the 11 fences, with jockey Sean Flanagan succeeding to remain in the saddle and after that get his horse into contention on the run-in.


"He's tough as nails and he loves racing at Leopardstown," winning trainer O'Brien told 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 final 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 actually moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention however his mount looked scheduled for second when Joseph O'Brien's challenger quickened 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 could have been in line for an exceptional 3 Grade One victories in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to victory.


Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 favourite, got home with five 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 buck," Elliott told RTE after 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 was available in 'I can't guarantee I would have won but I definitely wasn't beat'. He said he actually liked the way he went from the last to the line.


"It took place to us the other day [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 think he'll remain even more too. I 'd picture he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."


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