Skylight Hustle takes full advantage of Talk The Talk exit
Skylight Hustle ridden by Jack Kennedy (right) jumps the last on their way to winning the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Pic: Damien Eagers/PA Wire.
Skylight Hustle was a rather fortunate winner of the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown after Talk The Talk fell at the final flight.
Gordon Elliott's Skylight Hustle had himself moved stylishly into contention, but he looked booked for second when Joseph O'Brien's Talk The Talk quickened impressively and was half a length up jumping the last.
Just as Sam Ewing was poised to be beneficiary of two Grade Ones on the card stepping in for the concussed J J Slevin, Talk The Talk landed too steeply and was unable to keep his balance, handing the race to the 3-1 favourite by five lengths from Carrigmoornaspruce.
"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.
"It happened to us yesterday (when El Cairos fell when in front at the last) but that's why it's called jump racing.
"He's a good horse and I think he'll stay further as well.
"I'd imagine he'll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival."
