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Fairyhouse round-up: Grade Two wins for Found A Fifty, Maxxum and Blue Lemons

Updated / Monday, 21 Apr 2025 17:59
Found A Fifty draws clear of Saint Sam in the closing stages of the Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Chase
Found A Fifty draws clear of Saint Sam in the closing stages of the Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Chase

Found A Fifty bounced back from a couple of below-par runs to land the Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Chase on the Irish Grand National undercard at the County Meath circuit.

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 and ridden by Sam Ewing, he 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 5-1 shot 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!"

Maxxum (14-1) gave weight away to each of his rivals as he made all the running to win the Grade Two Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle for Elliott earlier on the card.

The eight-year-old was carrying a penalty for winning the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, but had been pulled up last time out in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.

Back in Graded company rather than a big-field handicap, he was able to dominate under Danny Gilligan.

Maxxum looked like he might have been a sitting duck at the top of the straight, with Eagle Fang, Spread Boss Ted, Gala Marceau and Feet Of A Dancer all on his tail.

But Gilligan had saved plenty and kicked on again approaching the final flight, holding off the favourite Gala Marceau by three-quarters of a length.

"Danny gave the horse a beautiful ride," said Elliott.

"He missed the third-last, but after that it was poetry in motion. He's a lovely, quiet rider and he suits this horse very well.

"In fairness, it just didn't happen (in the Coral Cup), he was slow away at the start in Cheltenham. He was good here today.

"Where we go with him, I don’t know. He could be a horse to go to France, he’s nearly better in a smaller field. We’ll have a look and see.

"He’s a good horse and he always wins on the big day."

Willie Mullins' Blue Lemons (2-1 JF) bounced back from a disappointing run in the Triumph Hurdle to record a comfortable success in the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle.

Trained by Richard Hannon on the level where he reached a fairly high rating, the son of Blue Point looked promising when winning on his hurdling debut at Gowran.

Down to Grade Two company after Cheltenham, he briefly looked in trouble before sweeping to the front under Paul Townend to win by seven lengths from main market rival Its Bilbo.

Assistant trainer David Casey said: "It was obviously a big step down from the Triumph. Paul said they went quick and it suited the way he rode him.

"He had that bit of Flat pace anyway and Paul said that suited him because they went quick and they got a little bit tired in front. He was able to use his pace at the end, which is good.

"He's in Punchestown and he'll probably run, I suppose. He may as well at this stage.

"Not too many Blue Point's jump hurdles! We'll see where he can end up and he always has the option of going back on the Flat as well during the summer."

Mullins also took the Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle with the Mark Walsh-ridden Last Kingdom (10-1), who looked a long way ahead of his mark.

Casey said: "He might make into a Lartigue horse (Listowel) down the line, he's only four. There's no real long-term plan with him."

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