Maddens strike with Clancy Clancy Strand was produced with a perfectly timed run by Niall Madden to claim the two-mile handicap hurdle at Naas. 'Slippers', who was riding for his father and namesake, got a nice split on the rail to launch his challenge at the final flight on the JP McManus owned gelding. Long-time leader Nurse Ryan crashed out there, bringing down Charging Indian, and it was left for 7/1 shot Clancy Strand to gallop clear. The Montjeu gelding stayed on strongly to record a seven-length victory over Rare Symphony (7/2 jf), who had raced prominently and held every chance at the last. The other market leader Somethingdifferent had also been prominent before eventually finishing fifth. "That's great. He lost his way a bit last year but we could never find anything wrong," said Madden senior. "Thank god he's going the right way now. He had a chance after a nice run at Limerick. "He's handling the ground better this year than he did last year. He'll be kept going and could go chasing."
