Solness strike keeps the Joseph O'Brien bandwagon rolling

Just 24 hours on from watching Banbridge win the King George VI Chase at Kempton, O'Brien was back home in Ireland to witness the 28-1 scorer lead his rivals a merry dance

Solness wins the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown in the hands of JJ Slevin. Picture: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

The Christmas presents keep coming for Joseph O’Brien and, fresh from Banbridge’s success in the King George, his Solness sprang a 28-1 surprise in the Grade One Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase on Friday afternoon at a packed Leopardstown racecourse.

St Stephen’s Day may have been a difficult one for JJ Slevin as he watched his regular mount win the Kempton feature while he took a couple of falls in his five rides at Leopardstown, but his reward came here as he gave the Bronsan Racing-owned six-year-old a beautifully judged ride.