led, briefly joined from 5th, still travelling smoothly from 2 out, clear and in command when mistake and unseated rider last
soon behind in rear, never a factor, left distant 4th from last
tracked leader in 2nd, briefly on terms from 5th, a little slow next, ridden along from 3 out, switched right before 2 out, soon no impression until left in lead and clear from last
soon raced in moderate 4th, no impression straight, left distant 3rd from last
raced in 3rd, closed up from before 7th where not fluent, pushed along approaching 3 out, no impression next, left moderate 2nd from last
MAD BRIAN looks set to gain his second success over fences despite having to concede weight all round due to his novice success at Killarney in May. His subsequent runs have been in much better class than this including in the Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown where he was by no means disgraced. Irish Thistle, a winning bumper and hurdler, made a very promising start over fences behind Ned Buntline here last month and will have come on enough to pose a threat. Seskinane is a smart performer on his day who hasn't had much luck but neither Our Ollie nor Finisterre look to have the form for this.
Mad Brian (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 7, 19l behind Carlingford Lough (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec.
Finisterre 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, detached 4 out, completely tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Djakadam (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 3f beg chs in Dec.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 6th 4 out, mistake next, ridden and headway from 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Ned Buntline (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs sft in Dec.
Our Ollie (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, no impression from 4 out, soon trailing, last of 6, 46l behind Mallowney (11-2) at Naas 2m nov chs sft.
Seskinane (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, mid-division in 6th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, held in 6th when badly hampered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Leish Oscar (11-2) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft in Dec, 10 ran.
