Maxwell seals first Grade 2 on National contender Conor Maxwell rode his first Grade 2 victory on board Captain Cj in the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan. This assignment was over three miles on attritional ground and Captain Cj had five rivals to overcome. He went off 100/30 after finishing runner-up no less than four times in beginners' chases won by more than useful sorts such as Minella Indo (over course and distance last month). The gambled-on Elwood (9/1 - 6/1) took over from Minella Fair two out and soon went for home. Captain Cj loomed large in his mirrors, however, and Maxwell guided the challenger into the lead on the run to the last. The pair negotiated that obstacle well and kept up the gallop to take the spoils by six lengths. Elwood had to settle for the runner-up berth. Speak Easy, the 2/1 favourite, finished out of the places a further 13 lengths adrift. Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: "Conor said he got stuck in the ground a bit jumping but was able to make it up easy on the flat. "His form was there and he is in the Eider Chase next week but won't run. It was a choice of coming here or the Eider and I'd like to run him in the Irish National now. He is ground dependant and if it was too quick I wouldn't run him. "He is a grand, honest horse and tries hard so that's half the battle. He is not overly big and wouldn't be a lover of that deep ground and jumping-wise he was getting a bit stuck in the ground and on the level was making it up easy. "I said to his owner at the start of the year that I'd love to finish the year in the Irish National and this is a nice pot to get so we'll go from here." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
