The consistent Found A Fifty struck on a good afternoon for Gordon Elliott to take the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase at Navan.
The seven-year-old, who is owned by Bective Stud, was never out of the top two in his first season over fences last term.
Grade One wins in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown and the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree were the highlights, and he returned this term in similarly good form to win at Down Royal earlier in the month.
After that success he was the 11-8 favourite at Navan in Grade Two company, and Jack Kennedy's mount pulled it out of the bag to score by a neck from Joseph O'Brien's Solness.
"He (Kennedy) said he didn't feel as well as when he had ridden him (before)," said Elliott.
"He thought down the back straight they were going quick and he was flat out.
Found A Fifty digs in gamely to hold on for victory in the Grade 2 @BarOneRacing Fortria Chase, bringing up a treble for @jackkennedy15 and @gelliott_racing in the process 👏 pic.twitter.com/DeM6KswuAX
— Navan Racecourse (@NavanRacecourse) November 16, 2024
"He made probably too much ground from the fifth-last to the third-last, he got there real quick and he just pulled up in front.
"I'd say he is a good horse and that was a fair performance."
When asked about Found A Fifty's entries in the John Durkan and the King George, the trainer added: "He won't run in the John Durkan and probably not either.
"We might go to Leopardstown over two miles at Christmas."
Bleu De Vassy was much the best when winning the Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan.
Gordon Elliott's five-year-old was the 4-6 favourite after taking his hurdles debut by a huge 25 lengths last time out at Fairyhouse.
He had some bumper form prior to that and was the chosen mount of Cullentra stable jockey Jack Kennedy over stablemate Patter Merchant.
At Grade Three level the Gigginstown-owned bay travelled like a dream throughout the race and had no problem in pulling away from the field to score by a comfortable five lengths.
"I was impressed with him in Fairyhouse, but we weren't sure how good a race it was. You have to be impressed with what he did there." said Elliott.
"Jack said he didn't mind that ground. We were running him last year on heavy ground and I couldn't understand why he was getting beaten.
"I was disappointed in a few bumpers last year. Maybe he doesn't want it as soft as that.
"I'd say he is a good horse and he looks nice. He travels with a lot of pace."
When asked about a tilt at the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, the trainer added: "He's in it, but it might come a bit soon."
