Found A Fifty continued his strong start to the season by defeating the returning Magiborough in the BAR 1 Betting Hilly Way Chase held in Cork. Magiborough, a novice horse who secured two Grade 1 wins last season, was the 4-6 favorite in this Grade 2 race. Trainer Willie Mullins, who has dominated this event with nine wins in the past decade, also entered the three-time winner Enagmene among the top contenders.
Although Magiborough and Enagmene had been off the track since spring, Gordon Elliott’s Found A Fifty, at 3-1 odds, was already race-fit after competing this autumn, most recently winning the Fortrea Chase at Navan three weeks prior. Magiborough set the pace under Mark Walsh, guiding Found A Fifty and Enagmene through the final stretch, but showed some erratic behavior near obstacles. However, Found A Fifty, ridden by Jack Kennedy, gradually closed the gap and eventually claimed victory by half a length, marking a notable win for both jockey and trainer, who completed four rides that afternoon.
Elliott commented, “We had the fitness and the rain suited us. He was in good form, so winning was great. Today might have been the day to catch Magiborough off guard, but he’s a fantastic horse and that’s the class he’s at. Magiborough made a mistake that cost him the race, and this felt like our potential Gold Cup day. This win is special for me, even though he regularly wins big races, so we’re fortunate to have him. He’s expected to race at Leopardstown for Christmas, and I’ll discuss plans with the owners.”
Mullins expressed disappointment with Magiborough’s jumping, saying the horse lacked good rhythm and paid the price. “He needs to improve his jumping to compete at this level. He seems to have lost some confidence, and it’s uncertain if more schooling or longer distances will help. For now, he’ll probably stay at this level, but fitness should aid him significantly. If he recovers well, he could run at Leopardstown for Christmas.”
Regarding Enagmene, Mullins added that although the horse has three wins and is still progressing, a longer distance or a weight drop might be necessary. He is uncertain if Enagmene can continue competing at the Grade 1 level beyond two and a half miles and considers a move to Grade 2 possible.
This weekend’s races will influence the Queen Mother Chase standings significantly, with Magiborough’s odds shifting from 7-2 to 5-1, while stablemate Ile Etite Temps has become the 3-1 favorite following a recent win at Tingle Creek. Reflecting on Ile Etite Temps’ strong performance, Mullins noted, “He has established dominance in the two-mile category, and we hope this continues throughout the season.”
Fan Take: This exciting clash highlights the intense competition among top-tier horses early in the season, giving fans a glimpse of potential champions to watch. Found A Fifty’s victory and the evolving form of horses like Magiborough and Ile Etite Temps could shape key races and rivalries, adding thrilling narratives to the sport’s calendar.
