mid-division early, keen hold to chase leader from 4th, close up in 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no extra before next where mistake, kept on one pace
chased leader, jumped right 1st, 3rd halfway, improve to dispute 3 out, 2nd and ridden 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, slight mistake 2nd, ridden in 6th 3 out, moderate 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace
held up, mistake 1st and slight mistake 2nd, 5th halfway, under pressure in 4th when fell 3 out
chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, left 4th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, no extra before 2 out
chased leaders briefly, soon held up, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression after 4 out, rear and no extra 3 out, weakened
led, joined 3 out, led again 2 out, asserted before last, easily
Most have been competing in point-to-points but SAMURAI CRACKER has been in good form in these events. A runner-up at Thurles last time, he beat the re-opposing Winged Leader at Limerick in December and is taken to confirm running. The latter has advertised the form subsequently by landing a double between the flags while Alpha Male finished runner-up at Punchestown the last time he raced in a hunters’ chase and is preferred to Duckphil, who debuts under Rules.
Samurai Cracker (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Soon chased clear leaders in 4th, closer in 2nd before 10th where slight mistake, led before 12th, went on before 3 out where mistake, slight mistake 2 out, no extra and headed over 50yds out, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Macs Legend (12-0) at Thurles 3m 1f sft in Feb.
Alpha Male (FR) 4-1 (12-2) Rr of mid-div, 5th 1/2way, still 5th aftr 3out, went 3rd appr str, sn drpd to 4th, wknd, 4th of 11, 16 1/2l behind Rewritetherules (12-2) at Punchestown 3m Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Duckphil (FR) 3-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, prog to 1l 2nd 1/2way, wo bef 8th, 2l clr aftr 5out, redcd ld 3out, jnd last, nt mtch wnr flat, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Westy Fox (12-2) at Farmaclaffley 3m mdn hvy in Feb.
Duty Calls (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Sis, 7th & last 1/2way, in 5th 4out, gd prog to 3rd bef 3out, further prog to cl 2nd 2out, no ex last, wknd, 3rd of 7, 7 1/2l behind On The Sod (12-2) at Farmaclaffley 3m hvy in Feb.
Like A Demon 33-1 (12-0) Mid-division, badly hampered 7th, ridden and weakened before 5 out, pulled up after 3 out, at Clonmel 2m 5f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Mr Cosmos (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 7th 1/2way, prog to 4th bef 4out, went 2nd 3out, rdn into str, 20l dwn when left ld last, lucky, won at Knockmullen House 3m mdn sft in Feb.
Winged Leader (IRE) Evens (12-2) Made all, 1l adv 1/2way, jnd 4out, gng well with 1l adv bef str, in command run-in, easily, won at Farmaclaffley 3m hvy in Feb beating Bridgets Pet (11-11) by 6l, 6 ran.
