'Majborough might be worth taking on' - Hilly Way Chase Tips Cork stages its major jumps race of the season on Sunday afternoon via the Grade 2 BAR 1 Betting Hilly Way Chase. Run over two miles and one furlong, it has often been a platform for some of the smartest speedy chasers in the land. Willie Mullins has captured the prize a staggering 16 times, including 11 of the last 12, and he counts three-time winner Energumene amongst two runners now. Paul Townend has won four of the last five renewals but faces major competition on the veteran in a select but star-studded field. Majborough might be worth taking on Majborough was stunning at his best last season but prone to some jumping errors. The Mullins-trained five-year-old is stepping outside of novice company here and, like Banbridge, concedes 4lb to the other three runners. He was let down by his fencing in the Arkle at Cheltenham and while he soon got back on track at Punchestown, he was beaten on his seasonal/stable bow in early 2024 for the Closutton chief and, if there is a time to take him on, this might be it. He's forecast as the odds-on favourite and is taking on some seasoned pros over fences in this Cork feature contest. Found A Fifty ready to rock Gordon Elliott has never won the Hilly Way but he's in cracking form, taking all four Graded races at Fairyhouse last Sunday, and could have a real chance here with FOUND A FIFTY. The Bective Stud-owned eight-year-old has lots of experience and rarely runs a poor race, finishing out of the first two just three times in 13 starts over fences. One of those was in last month's Champion Chase at Down Royal where the three-mile trip appeared beyond him. He bounced right back to win the Fortria Chase at Navan (2m, soft to heavy) since, giving 7lb and a five-length beating to the smart mare Dinoblue. He was second in an Arkle around Cheltenham on soft ground behind Gaelic Warrior in 2024 and any rain that falls will help this excellent soft-ground performer. He's right there on ratings and, unlike his three main rivals in the market, is at peak fitness two runs into his season. Banbridge should play a role BANBRIDGE was seemingly a major danger to Energumene in this race a year ago before he unseated Richie Deegan at the final obstacle. That was to prove the precursor to his King George win at Kempton, where Paul Townend judged things superbly to come and claim the frontrunner Il Est Francais. Spring runs at Cheltenham and Punchestown seemed to confirm that Banbridge doesn't really want a true staying trip, with Kempton's three miles amongst the easiest going. He is a Grade 1 winner at this trip and looks a key player with the Joseph O'Brien team amongst the winners lately and JJ Slevin in the saddle. Three-time winner Energumene is a rising 12 now and there were some signs last season after his fortuitous win here that time is catching up. His trainer has suggested he'll come on from this comeback run but he is much respected over a course and distance where he has yet to taste defeat.
