The Curragh celebrates, if that is the correct word, its 1998 finale today with its largest fields of the season. No reserves, just eight races contested by 148 runners, of which one only, Countessmarkievicz, is trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Her target is a rated race, a fairly new type of event that provides opportunities for the lower rated horses to find an outlet that is not a handicap.

As compared with an actual handicap, Countessmarkievicz is one of the best treated at the weights, but the advantage appears to rest with Zelden.

Owner Martyn McEnery has ensured himself a place in the history of the Grand National as the breeder of Red Rum. He never has more than a couple in training at any one time, but Zelden, an own brother to Jimmy The Skunk, well placed by Jack Berry to win six two-year-old races in the north of England in 1993, caught the eye with a really good run over seven furlongs at Gowran. He was third to Catch The Dragon, afterwards second in a Leopardstown listed race. Second place went to Khatela, who will start a hot favourite in the previous race.

Curragh Carpets are the sponsors of the entire programme and punters anxious to get the wherewithall to buy one of the sponsor's products are recommended to be early as Berengarius looks a lay down in the first event. Jim Bolger has had more starters in two-year-old races this season than any other trainer and been rewarded for his industry with 19 winners.

Berengarius was by far the fastest finisher at Leopardstown when getting within a length of Franchetti. Kevin Manning takes over today and will also be on the newcomer Castle Quest half an hour later.