Solness continues memorable Christmas for Joseph O'Brien
Trainer adds Grade 1 glory at Leopardstown to King George success
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Solness was an impressive victor in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase
Joseph O'Brien continued a memorable festive period by adding Grade 1 glory at Leopardstown to his King George success.
The day after Banbridge triumphed in memorable style at Kempton Park, O'Brien was back across the Irish Sea to see 28/1 shot Solness come up trumps under JJ Slevin in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase.
Slevin gave the six-year-old a frontrunning ride and he held firm to see off favourite Gaelic Warrior and 2023 Supreme Novices' winner Marine Nationale, who finished second and third respectively.
Speaking to Racing TV, O'Brien said: "I actually had this lad in a mile-and-a-half maiden at Dundalk last Friday. Ground is important to him and I spoke to JJ [Slevin, jockey] before and he felt he'd go wide and find the strip of ground he'd find.
"He jumped fantastic and he looked to be going very smooth all through the race. We had a discussion the other day [about running] and he had to finish inside the first three to get the money back, so we said we'd take a chance.
"I'm delighted for JJ – he gave him the most fantastic ride."
The day's other Grade 1, the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle, went the way of favourite Romeo Coolio, who justified his 7/4 starting price with an impressive victory under Sam Ewing.
The result means Gordon Elliott is now one shy of 100 Grade 1 winners, a feat he has four more chances to reach over the remainder of the Festival.
Perceval Lagellois claimed the big prize pot of the day, landing the €110,000 Paddy Power Chase with Mark Walsh on board.
The seven-year-old has flattered to deceive in recent times but shone in the mist at Leopardstown - where he had fallen on his last visit at February's Dublin Racing Festival - to leave trainer Gavin Cromwell delighted.
"To be honest, I thought his chance had gone (in these races)," he said.
"He has threatened in a few of them but for one reason or another, it hasn't happened for him.
"But it all happened for him today, he got his luck and he was a good winner in the end.
"He was nicely settled but it wasn't until about two out I started to think he had a chance. Mark was very good, he relaxed very well into the race and came home well."
The shock of the day came in the Paddy Power From The Horses Mouth Podcast Beginners Chase as 150/1 shot Jeannot Lapin stunned his rivals to claim the spoils.
Ricky Doyle was on board for trainer Gearoid O'Loughlin, who said: "I expected him to run really well as his homework had been good. I thought he was a proper horse.
"He did a piece of work around Tipperary two weeks ago and showed me enough to suggest he'd be competitive in one of these."
It marked a second remarkable success for owner Dominic Jones, who also owned Sawbuck, a 300/1 winner at Punchestown in May 2022.
The day two opener went the way of Wendrock, the first of a double for Ewing and Elliott, while Barry Connell got on the board with Enniskerry, who teamed up with Sean Flanagan to pip Pinot Gris to the post in a thrilling finish to the Spinal Injuries Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
The bumper was won by Karate Kid, trained by Colm Ryan and ridden by Ray Barron.