Top pair clash in Kinloch Brae Tomorrow's renewal of the Ladbrokes Ireland Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles sees two of the country's top chasers go head to head in a fascinating four runner affair. The Gordon Elliott trained Don Cossack has shot up the rankings with three polished displays in recent months culminating in Grade 1 success at Punchestown in December when he had the current Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere behind in third place. Don Cossack heads the weights for tomorrow's two-and-a-half mile contest in which his Grade 1 penalty sees him concede 2lb to his chief rival Champagne Fever. Champagne Fever trained by Willie Mullins was touted as a potential Gold Cup horse this season but his first foray into top class competition in the Grade 1 King George VI at Kempton over Christmas saw him found wanting as he faded in the closing stages of that three mile contest to finish fourth. This intermediate distance of tomorrow's race will suit both horses. Last year's winner of the race Texas Jack is also in the line up. He will have his work cut out to defend his title against two such opponents but is not totally out of it having finished a little over six lengths behind Don Cossack last time and is now 2lbs better off at the weights. The quartet is completed by the Stephen Mahon trained outsider Smokey Joe Joe which hasn't won a race for almost four years.
