<< <27th Dec 2025 – Leopardstown 13:47:00> >>

Race Shape & Context

• Slow overall time (4.60s below standard) on yielding ground.
• Stop–start tempo, plenty of keenness, and key incidents at the last.
• The race changed completely in the final 150 yards.

You have to separate form from fortune here.

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Winner: Skylight Hustle (3/1F)

RPR 146 | TS 117

Deserved, but context matters.

• Market: Narrow favourite, solid if unspectacular.
• Run style: Patiently ridden, delivered late.
• Crucial moment: Benefited from Talk The Talk’s fall just after the last.

That said, he still had to pick up, take advantage, and pull clear, which he did decisively. The RPR of 146 is good Grade 1 novice hurdle form, though not outstanding.

Verdict: Honest, improving novice. A legit Grade 1 winner, but not the standout of the division on this evidence.

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2nd: Carrigmoornaspruce (12/1)

RPR 134 | TS 104

Big run at a price.

• Market: Overlooked.
• Run style: Held up, strong late headway.
• Finish: Clear second but no threat to the winner.

This was a clear career best and a strong performance for the connections. The RPR confirms she ran well above expectation.

Verdict: Likeable, progressive mare, but needs others to underperform to win at this level.

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3rd: Love Me Tender (4/1)

RPR 138 | TS 107

A mixed bag.

• Market: Well-backed Mullins runner.
• Jumping: Never really fluent.
• Finish: Kept on without threatening.

He ran to a fair level but never looked comfortable. The raw ability is there, but he’s still learning.

Verdict: Better than this once things click. Don’t drop him yet.

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4th: Le Divin Enfant (13/2)

RPR 135 | TS 104

Did too much too soon.

• Run style: Pulled hard, forced the pace.
• Outcome: Predictably emptied late.

The RPR suggests he still ran to a reasonable level given the way he raced.

Verdict: Needs to settle. Drop him in and he improves sharply.

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The Big “What If”: Talk The Talk (9/2F)

RPR 147 (est.)

This is the key takeaway.

• Travelled best through the race.
• Swept to the lead approaching the last.
• Stumbled and fell just after it.

He was going to win this. The estimated RPR of 147 reflects that. This was a proper Grade 1 performance until cruel luck intervened.

Verdict: Upgrade heavily. This form will revolve around him going forward.

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Disappointments / Write-offs

• Koktail Brut: Bled — write off completely.
• The Passing Wife / Mister Pessimistic: Not at this level yet.

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Overall Race Verdict

• Official winner deserved, but not the best horse on the day.
• Race badly affected by incidents.
• Depth is there, but the pecking order is far from settled.

Bottom line:
Skylight Hustle took his chance and deserves the prize — but Talk The Talk is the horse you remember. This race will look different in six weeks’ time.