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 two 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 Skylight Hustle had previously won the Novices Hurdle for Elliott, with Jack Kennedy the triumphant jockey on that celebration.
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) repeated his triumph of 12 months back in the same race as he edged out Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length.
The 2 horses were associated with an awesome four-way battle at the front as they jumped the last fence, with Ewing's mount showing a reliable frontrunner for fitness instructor O'Brien.
Having his 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 doing well to remain in the saddle and then get his horse into contention on the confrontation.
"He is difficult as nails and he likes racing at Leopardstown," winning fitness instructor O'Brien told RTE after the race.
Pre-race favourite Majborough (6-4) ended up 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 landed too steeply and not able to keep his balance.
Kennedy had actually moved the eventual winner stylishly into contention however his install looked scheduled for second when Joseph O'Brien's challenger sped up impressively 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 impressive three Grade One success 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 Carrigmoornaspruce (12-1), with Love Me Tender (4-1) in 3rd.
"The horse travelled like a dream the entire method and leapt like a buck," Elliott told RTE after enjoying his horse Skylight Hustle pass the winning post.
"I thought looking at it live that we were beat, however 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 ensure I would have won however I absolutely wasn't beat'. He said he actually liked the way he went from the last to the line.
"It occurred to us yesterday [when El Cairos fell when in front at the last] however that's why it's called jump racing.
"He's an excellent horse and I think he'll stay further also. I 'd imagine he'll return here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
Related topics
Northern Ireland Sport
Horse Racing
Latest horse racing results
