Found A Fifty Retains Fortria Title; Kopek Des Bordes Shines on Debut

Found A Fifty successfully defended his title in the Fortria Chase at Navan on November 6, 2023, demonstrating his prowess in a fiercely contested race. The eight-year-old gelding, who won the Grade Two event by a neck last year against Solness, faced challenges at a longer distance earlier this season. After a previous attempt at three miles proved too demanding, he returned to his preferred two-mile distance for this race.

Racing under jockey Jack Kennedy, Found A Fifty started as the 5-2 second favourite in a reduced field due to the soft to heavy ground conditions. The race, originally scheduled for Saturday, was postponed, adding to the anticipation. Despite the challenging conditions, Found A Fifty managed to pull ahead, finishing five lengths clear of the 11-8 favourite, Dinoblue, trained by Willie Mullins. The third-place finisher, Hercule Du Seuil, rounded out the field.

Impressive Debut for Kopek Des Bordes

Later in the day, Kopek Des Bordes dazzled on his debut over fences in the Pat Sheils Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Chase. The five-year-old, also trained by Willie Mullins, had a successful season last year, highlighted by two Grade One victories in novice hurdles at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. He was the 2-9 favourite for his first chase, and he lived up to expectations.

Kopek Des Bordes showcased impressive jumping and control throughout the race, ultimately winning by five lengths. His performance solidified his status as a strong contender for the upcoming Arkle Chase at Cheltenham. Mullins indicated that future plans for Kopek Des Bordes include racing at Leopardstown over Christmas, as well as participating in the Dublin Racing Festival and the Cheltenham Festival, stating: “That would look a sort of a plan at this minute – that will be route ‘A’ anyway.”

Colonel Mustard Triumphs in Lismullen Hurdle

In another highlight at Navan, Colonel Mustard, trained by Lorna Fowler, claimed victory in the rescheduled Lismullen Hurdle. Despite being a 12-1 shot, Colonel Mustard proved his mettle against the market leader, The Yellow Clay, who was the 8-15 favourite.

Under jockey John Shinnick, Colonel Mustard thrived in the soft-to-heavy conditions, finishing two and three-quarter lengths ahead of The Yellow Clay. After the race, Fowler confirmed plans for Colonel Mustard to compete in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, emphasizing that the aim was to assess his ability to stay two and a half miles on heavy ground, setting the stage for potential success at three miles.

The events at Navan highlighted the resilience and talent within the racing community, with strong performances across the board, particularly from Found A Fifty and Kopek Des Bordes, as they gear up for more challenging competitions ahead.