Paddy Power an option for Mad Brian Mad Brian could now go for the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, following his fine run in the Troytown at Navan yesterday. Gillian Callaghan’s seven-year-old was sent off a well-fancied 7/1 chance for the prestigious handicap, but he found just one too good, finishing half a length second to Cootamundra. Nina Carberry was a late replacement on the son of Brian Boru, after Keith Donoghue gave up the ride as he was unwell. The Black Steel Square Syndicate owned gelding was having just his third run over fences yesterday, and he could now continue in handicaps, or return to the novice division. Callaghan said this afternoon: "We were delighted with his run, he jumped great and travelled away grand. He is 100% this morning, fit and well. It is just a pity he didn’t pick up as well as the winner. "We have a couple of options now, whether we go the novice route or for the Paddy Power. There is the three mile novice at Leopardstown that he could go for. I’ll speak to the owners before we decide."
