raced 2nd on outer, took keen hold, not fluent at 9th, improved to dispute lead 4 out, ridden 2 out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
led, slight mistake 10th, joined 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed before last, 3rd at last, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, 4th 3 out, ridden and disputing 5th when slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
tracked leaders, close 5th when stumbled on landing 3 out, ridden from 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, 5th when fell at last
held up in touch in rear, close 4th 2 out, soon disputed lead, ridden approaching last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
held up in touch in rear, close 3rd on outer 3 out, ridden in close 5th next, no impression
Somptueux looked one to follow when easily landing a novices' chase at Navan but made too many mistakes on his next start over this track and trip. SPEAK EASY gets the nod as he has been racing in much stronger company and would have an obvious chance on his placed effort in a Navan Grade 2 while Macgiloney has also been up against it since beating three rivals over 3m1f here in February. Foxy Jacks has also been running in better class though might need a bit further but Peaches And Cream won over the trip at Wexford in August and his two subsequent runs have been in tough handicaps. Samurai Cracker won nicely at Down Royal though takes on better company but Shumaker has only had one start over fences, scoring at Punchestown in September.
Somptueux (FR) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, mistake at 6th, progress to 3rd before 9th, niggled along after 3 out, not fluent 2 out and ridden, dropped to 4th and weakened before last, 4th of 6, 26 1/2l behind Court Maid (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Oct.
Speak Easy 14-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 13th of 14, dist behind Scoir Mear (10-10) at Naas 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Macgiloney (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, rear halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Waitnsee (10-5) at Cork 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Peaches And Cream (IRE) 18-1 (10-1) Held up, towards rear halfway, progress before 2 out, 5th after 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra before last where hampered, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Mitchouka (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Samurai Cracker (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) In touch in rear, headway into 3rd 4 out, improved to dispute lead before next, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Mar beating The Gunner Murphy (11-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Shumaker (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Led early, prominent, 4th approaching straight, soon effort, no extra from under 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 29 1/4l behind All Class (8-8) at Navan 1m 5f hcp hvy in Mar.
Foxy Jacks (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, mistake 6 out, headway 4 out and close up on inner entering straight, mistake 3 out, 6th and no impression next, no extra approaching last, 6th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Uisce Beatha (11-7) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp Yielding in Apr.
