Elliott wins four as Skylight Hustle triumphs at Leopardstown


The trainer moved to seven victories at Leopardstown Christmas Festival

Saturday, 27 December 2025
Elliott wins four as Skylight Hustle triumphs at Leopardstown

Gordon Elliott secured four victories on Day 2 of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, including a Grade 1 win in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

Following the likes of Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Sizing John in winning the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, Skylight Hustle was sitting behind Talk The Talk in the closing stages.

Jack Kennedy won his fourth Future Champions Novice Hurdle and saw Elliott claim the race for the third successive time.

“He travelled like a dream the whole way and jumped like a buck,” said Elliott.

“I thought looking at it live that we were beat, but when I looked at the re-run, I wasn’t sure (with) the way my lad galloped from the last to the line.

“Jack said when he came 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.”

That was Elliott’s second of four victories on the day at Leopardstown having started the day with Sam Ewing riding Hardy Stuff to the win in the Paddy Power I Have No Idea What Day It Is 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

Bowensonfire then triumphed in the National Maternity Hospital Foundation Handicap Hurdle before outsider Favori De Champdou claimed victory in the Paddy Power Chase.

It takes Elliott’s total at the Festival to seven after three wins on St Stephen’s Day.

Meanwhile, Solness won back-to-back Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase in the day's other Grade 1.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained seven-year-old denied Marine Nationale at the end of a thrilling race, Solness’ third at this level, all of which have come at Leopardstown.

O’Brien praised Ewing for stepping in and steering Solness to repeat glory, after JJ Slevin was stood down.

"It was a very tough performance. I feel sorry for JJ, who was stood down with a concussion, but Sam gave him a fantastic ride,” he said.

“He's always been very good around here and it was a fantastic race to watch.

"He just likes dry ground and with a bit of room, and that was as good a performance as he's ever put up. It's special to win a Grade 1 here this week."

O’Brien and Ewing had hopes of earning a second Grade 1 victory of the day but they were dashed when Talk The Talk faltered over the final jump.

Willie Mullins’ Kargese triumphed in the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Beginners Chase as the day rounded out with a win for Jonathan Sweeney’s Barnahash Mason in the Flat One.

Meanwhile, in Limerick, Mullins was beaten in the Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase, as Henry de Bromhead won with The Big Westerner.



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