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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Thistle gifted victory by Mad Brian exit

Sun 12th Jan 2014, 15:04

Keith Donoghue loses the battle to stay aboard Mad BrianKeith Donoghue loses the battle to stay aboard Mad Brian
© Photo Healy Racing

Irish Thistle was gifted victory in the beginners chase at Navan after odds-on favourite Mad Brian partnered company with Keith Donoghue at the final fence.

Mad Brian, sent off a 4/5 shot, made the running in the two-and-a-half mile contest and had the race at his mercy after seeing off nearest pursuer Irish Thistle at the second last.

The favourite had a five-length advantage going to the last but put down when asked for a effort and Donoghue was ejected after a mistake.

The Davy Russell-ridden Irish Thistle was left to come home a 12-length winner from Seskinane

“You need a bit of luck now and again!” said winning trainer Harry Rogers.

“He'll probably go back to two miles as he got a bit tired there.”

Russell added: “Keith's horse just quickened up better in the straight and I was plugging away until he had an unfortunate mishap at the last. It's great to win.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.