Elliott, Martin and Fowler on mark at Fairyhouse

There was more cross-card success for Gordon Elliott today as he saddled winners in Fairyhouse and Tramore, while Tony Martin and Lorna Fowler were also on the mark at the Co Meath track.

It was a quiet return for local connections at Fairyhouse as the new year got off to more of a whimper than a bang, although Elliott did claim the big race when Mount Ida won the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler memorial EBF Mares Chase under jockey Davy Russell.

Mount Ida fought hard in a cracking finish after the Yeats mare was produced to challenge at the second last fence by 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. 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.

"She's a great mare and I'm delighted for the boys (KTDA Racing, made up of English owners Dave Page and Dave Rabson), 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," beamed Elliott after the win.

"They have eight or 10 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," concluded the trainer.

Tony Martin's Djasek got the verdict after a battle on the run-in with Kashi in the Keep Her Lit For Lar Handicap Hurdle.

The pair were locked together at the last which they both fluffed and it was Djasek who took a very slight advantage on the run-in under Peter Carberry.

In a head-bobbing finish Djasek won by a short head at 7/1 from the 2/1 favourite Kashi under Rachael Blackmore.

“They are great lads that own him (Dewsweepers Syndicate) and they've been waiting a while. They probably should have had their day here this day last year (when runner-up in this race),” said trainer Martin.

"They persevered and it's great that luck came their way. His head was just coming up again at the line, a yard before we were in front."

Lorna Fowler produced Naughtinesse (3/1) to win the bumper under jockey Mr Tony Hamilton.

Sitting in mid-division, Fowler's mount moved to fourth three furlongs out and with a furlong and half remaining Hamilton hit the front and stayed on well under hands and heels to win by almost five lengths.

Elliott's cross-card double was completed when Where It All Began, runner-up on three of his previous four starts, went one better to win the Velvet Cap Whiskey Maiden Hurdle.

The gelding held a couple of lengths lead when making a mistake and stumbling after the last and Jack Kennedy, who had to give up his rides at Punchestown yesterday with a sore shoulder, certainly had to prove his fitness on the 6/1 chance.

Kennedy held off the renewed effort of French import and 4/7 favourite Hors Piste by a short-head, with the pair pulling 15 lengths clear of Geni De La Cour in third.