Found A Fifty bounces back to winning ways

Found A Fifty bounced back from a couple of below-par runs to land the Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Chase.

Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old has a good career strike-rate, having won five of his 10 runs over fences before his latest outing.

His victory over Solness in the Fortria Chase was up there with the pick of the form on offer, although he was pulled up at Leopardstown over Christmas when off-colour and then beaten a long way by Marine Nationale in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Back down into Grade Two company he was sent off a 5-1 chance under Sam Ewing and could always be picked out as going well.

Saint Sam made a bold bid from the front but a mistake two out capped his momentum and Found A Fifty went on to win by three-quarters of a length.

“In fairness, things didn’t happen for him (at Cheltenham). To be fair, Grade Two and Grade Three are probably his level. A good performance, he mightn’t just be a Grade One horse,” said Elliott.

“If we keep him in that class next year, he could win loads of races. In fairness to Noel (Moran, Bective Stud), he let us take our time with him. Everything seemed to suit him today.”

Elliott added: “I wouldn’t say the horses weren’t in form (at Cheltenham), I’d say we were just having too many seconds and thirds. That has been the story of my life this season.

“We have had a great season again, we have had over 150 winners trained. That’s the game we are in, you got to keep upping your game and keep trying to win. I’ know I’ll have more seconds and thirds than anyone, you needn’t worry!”