Solness Secures Back-to-back Club Chase Victories at Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse witnessed thrilling action as Solness, expertly ridden by Ewing, claimed victory in the Grade One Club Chase Steeplechase. Trainer Joseph O’Brien celebrated another meaningful win on the irish course, solidifying his reputation for preparing top-class chasers.
Solness (8-1) demonstrated remarkable consistency, repeating his success from 12 months prior. He narrowly defeated Marine Nationale (2-1) by half a length in a captivating finish.
A gripping four-way battle unfolded as the leading contenders approached the final fence. Ewing skillfully positioned Solness as a prominent frontrunner throughout the race, a testament to both horse and jockey.
marine Nationale,despite a mid-race stumble at the third fence,showcased resilience. Jockey Sean Flanagan expertly recovered, guiding his mount back into contention on the run-in.
O’Brien emphasized Solness’s affinity for the Leopardstown track after the race. “He’s tough as nails and he loves racing at leopardstown,” he stated.
Majborough (6-4), the pre-race favorite, ultimately finished third.
Skylight Hustle Capitalizes on Late Drama in Novices’ Hurdle
Simultaneously occurring, the two-mile Novices’ Hurdle delivered its own share of excitement, with Skylight Hustle seizing victory after a dramatic fall by Talk The Talk at the final fence. The unfortunate incident left Talk the Talk unable to maintain his balance.
Kennedy had skillfully maneuvered Skylight Hustle into a challenging position. However, it appeared O’Brien’s challenger had taken the lead by half a length approaching the last obstacle.
Interestingly, Ewing, filling in for the concussed JJ Slevin, was aboard Talk The Talk. This meant he had the potential for an unusual three Grade One wins on the day, having already secured victories with Favori De Champou and Solness.
Skylight Hustle, the 3-1 favorite, ultimately prevailed by five lengths over Carrigmoornaspruce (12-1). Love Me Tender (4-1) completed the trifecta in third.
Trainer Gordon Elliott was initially unsure of the outcome, but a review of the race footage confirmed his horse’s strength. “I thought looking at it live that we were beat, but when I looked at the re-run, I wasn’t sure,” he explained.
Elliott highlighted the horse’s extraordinary late surge. “Jack [Kennedy] 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.”
The unpredictable nature of jump racing was also acknowledged. “It happened to us yesterday [when El Cairos fell when in front at the last] but that’s why it’s called jump racing,” Elliott added.
Looking ahead, Elliott believes Skylight hustle possesses the stamina for longer distances.He anticipates a return to leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival, suggesting a bright future for this promising hurdler.
