Willie Mullins 'disappointed' with Majborough's jumping as Found A Fifty cashes in on favourite's error-strewn round

This was meant to be the moment when last season's star novice Majborough cemented his place at the top of the open two-mile chasing division, but familiar jumping frailties returned to haunt the towering five-year-old and allow the race-fit Found A Fifty to take advantage.

Jumping was an issue for Majborough last season, most notably in the Arkle, where several mistakes, including a truly awful one at the second-last, cost him a second Cheltenham Festival victory.

Despite his propensity for errors, he had long held the position of Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite and connections were encouraged that he could do better this season.

Sent off with purpose by Mark Walsh, the 4-7 chance never looked comfortable in the jumping department as he shifted consistently to his left, with Jack Kennedy and Found A Fifty stalking in the wing mirrors throughout.

With confidence buoyed by victory in the Fortria Chase last month, the Found A Fifty camp hoped to take advantage of his race fitness and proven form in softer conditions and the eye was repeatedly drawn to the 3-1 shot whenever Majborough made one of his errors.

It is a credit to the incredible engine of Majborough that he still appeared to be travelling well turning for home, but a crashing mistake at the second-last handed the initiative to Found A Fifty, who went half a length up. 

A cautious jump at the final fence from Majborough when he needed a flyer ultimately allowed the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old to seal the deal. The veteran Energumene could not add a fourth win in the race to his CV but finished an admirable third.

Found A Fifty and Jack Kennedy after winning the Hilly Way ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“Found A Fifty had fitness on his side, we knew we had him fit today and the way the rain fell, it suited us,” said Elliott. “It’s great to win these pots. Today might have been our day just to catch the favourite napping. He’s a great horse at that level; that’s his level. 

“He’s in at Christmas, but we’ll talk to Noel and Valerie Moran to see what they want to do. Majborough made a few mistakes in fairness, so that might be our Gold Cup today. It’s nice to win the race because I haven’t won it before.”

It provided the cherry on top of another immensely successful day for Elliott and Kennedy, with their Cork four-timer coming seven days on from the same feat at Fairyhouse.

Majborough battled all the way to the line but connections will be tearing their hair out in pursuit of a solution that can allow him to put his talent on show.

“I was disappointed with his jumping,” said Mullins. “It didn’t hold together going down the back and he paid the price for that. I was hoping he'd jump a lot better. But there you are, it’s a bit disappointing, but hopefully he can improve for later in the season.

Willie Mullins and JP McManus following the Hilly Way ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“I’m hoping that run will bring him on. He just needs to improve his jumping to be competitive at that level. We'll look at Christmas with him if he recovers well from this race.”

Despite this setback, the Closutton camp still boast the favourite for the Champion Chase following the comfortable success of Il Etait Temps in the Tingle Creek on Saturday. 

“It was a tremendous performance from Il Etait Temps,” Mullins said. "We were hoping the Celebration Chase wasn’t a freak run and he has put his stamp on the two-mile division. Hopefully he can retain that for the whole season.”

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Cheltenham, March 11)
BetMGM: 11-4 Il Etait Temps, 7-2 Marine Nationale, 6 Majborough, 7 Sir Gino, 16 Found A Fifty, L’Eau Du Sud, 20 Fact To File, Quilixios, 25 Jonbon, 33 bar.

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