The Gordon Elliott-trained Mount Ida knuckled down gamely to secure a hard fought victory in a cracking finish to the John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase at Fairyhouse.

The Yeats mare was produced to challenge at the second last fence by Davy Russell and jumped right, colliding with Scarlet And Dove who had gone slightly left.

Mount Ida came off best from that bump and was soon in front in the Grade 3 contest.

Even-money favourite Elimay threw down a strong challenge before the last and there was little to choose between them over the final fence.

Russell found a willing partner in Mount Ida in the closing stages as she stuck her neck out to secure a half length win in the two-mile-five event.

The winner is owned by KTDA Racing, made up of English owners Dave Page and Dave Rabson, and

Elliott said afterwards:-

“She's a great mare and I'm delighted for the boys as it's the first day they've been racing to see a winner. They are big supporters of Irish racing and of the yard.

“They have eight or ten horses with us, they are great lads and are going to be a force in the future.

“She's a good mare and she has kept progressing. I suppose Cheltenham is the first time she really showed it to us last year, she was brilliant in Clonmel the last day and very good again today.

“After Cheltenham she was very sore of her back and we got her looked after. She seems to be a different mare since it.

“I was thinking Grand National for her but we're going to struggle to qualify her as they have to run over three miles.

“It would look like you'd have to go for the Mares Chase (at Cheltenham) after that.”