Big Interest a hunter chaser to note

Big Interest created quite an impression on track debut in the Metcollect Oil Recycling Hunters Steeplechase at Down Royal.

The five-year-old gelding won a Castlelands point-to-point by a distance for Davy Christie in March and reappeared today for his track bow under Barry O'Neill.

The 6/1 chance regained the lead four out and asserted over the next. He ran waway with the spoils by four and three-quarter lengths from leading hunter chaser and 10/11 favourite Its On The Line (who won at Aintree and Punchestown). Christie's Ask D'Man was another six lengths adrift in third at 20/1.

Christie said: "I think he will improve a lot from that - it was his racecourse debut and he's only a five-year-old.

"He could be (one for Naas in February) and then we will see after that."