Racing Post Novice Chase |
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| Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:20 €100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 1f, Class 1  |
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1 Found A Fifty 16/5
2 My Mate Mozzie 12/1
3 Sharjah 8/1
4 ran Distances: 1½l, 2l, 2¾l
Time: 4m 21.60s (slow by 15.60s)
Found A Fifty returns to winning ways!
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 26, 2023
He claims @jackkennedy15 and @gelliott_racing's second victory of the day in the @RacingPost Novice Chase 🏆pic.twitter.com/N2kMWPNmJk
Found A Fifty claimed Grade One honors, with Facile Vega proving disappointing despite being the 1-2 favorite. Facile Vega, trained by Willie Mullins, had previously achieved success in the bumper and hurdles but faced a setback after a comfortable victory in his chasing debut at Navan. Reunited with jockey Patrick Mullins for the first time since the spring of 2022, Facile Vega failed to meet expectations, leading to losses for odds-on backers.
Gordon Elliott's Found A Fifty, a winner at Down Royal and runner-up in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse, was ridden aggressively by Jack Kennedy. The six-year-old displayed a tendency to edge right at fences, impeding Facile Vega. Patrick Mullins adjusted tactics down the back straight, taking the lead.
While Facile Vega initially appeared to travel better, he faltered quickly, finishing last of four runners. In contrast, Found A Fifty, under Kennedy's guidance, maintained momentum, crossing the post with a length and a half lead over My Mate Mozzie.
“He’s very quirky, but he’s got a massive engine,” Elliott said of the winner.
“To get a Grade One winner is brilliant as it looked like we were unlucky in Aintree (Farren Glory fell in Formby Novices’ Hurdle).
“Jack gave Found A Fifty a wonderful ride. He had to use his head everywhere as he even went to have a look at the rail after the first fence.
“He’s a good horse. He was actually the highest-rated novice chaser in England or Ireland coming into the race today but there is a quirk in him – most good ones have a little bit of a quirk.”
Elliott was also keen to praise his stable jockey, who has suffered more than his fair share of injuries in recent years.
The trainer added: “Jack is different class. He’s just a lovely fella. At home you wouldn’t even pick him out in the string. He’d ride a horse leg length and be nagging and twisting. He’s just a bit different.
“We’re very lucky to have him, holding onto him and keeping him in one piece now would be the problem.”
Racing Post Novice Steeplechase
2m 1f, Race Value: €100,000 guaranteed, Grade 1
4 ran
Going: Yielding, Good to Yielding in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Found A Fifty 6 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 16/5
2 1½ My Mate Mozzie 7 11-12 Gavin Cromwell Keith Donoghue 12/1
3 2 Sharjah 10 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 8/1
4 2¾ Facile Vega 6 11-12 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 1/2F
