Trainer Elliott Takes 2 Grade One Leopardstown Wins
Published
27 December 2025
Trainer Gordon Elliott claimed 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 likewise winning 2 of the major races.
Elliott-trained Favori De Champdou battled 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 triumphant jockey on that celebration.
Solness, ridden by Ewing, took triumph 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) repeated his victory 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 included in an exhilarating four-way battle at the front as they leapt the final fence, with Ewing's install showing an efficient frontrunner for trainer O'Brien.
Having his first race of the season, Barry Connell-trained Marine Nationale conquered 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 run-in.
"He's hard as nails and he loves racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien told RTE after the race.
Pre-race preferred Majborough (6-4) completed third.
Meanwhile Skylight Hustle took complete 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 unable to keep his balance.
Kennedy had actually moved the ultimate winner stylishly into contention but his mount looked reserved for second when Joseph O'Brien's challenger sped up 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 amazing three Grade One success in a day, having ridden Favori De Champou and Solness to victory.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 preferred, got back with five lengths to spare over (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in third.
"The horse took a trip like a dream the whole 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, 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 ensure I would have won however I definitely wasn't beat'. He said he truly 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] but that's why it's called dive racing.
"He's a good horse and I think he'll remain further also. I 'd imagine he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
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