As De Pique in fine fettle at Punchestown

As De Pique has hit form with a vengeance and the 2/1 favourite showed his well-being by winning the two mile six handicap chase in a driving finish with Fergiethelegend

James Brien Kane hunted him round in rear as Ivy Glen raced well clear of the remainder. On the run to the fourth last, Fergiethelegend raced upsides Ivy Glen and As De Pique moved closer into fifth.

As De Pique made a mistake at the fourth last causing Kane to gather him together and push him along. The pair moved into third on the home bend after jumping the third last.

Fergiethelegend had assumed the lead at this stage and set sail for home. As De Pique stayed on well though to jump the second last in unison with Fergiethelegend. The Doorman was a close third.

Fergiethelegend (12/1) held the upper hand at the last, however, As De pique landed full of running and was driven out by Kane to win by a neck. The Doorman at 7/2 came in third.

"I've no idea where we'll go now. He's in at Downpatrick on Friday but I wouldn't run him there," handler Gavin Cromwell said.

"We'll see what the handicapper does. He could maybe creep into the Galway Blazers or something like that.

"Brien works for me and has been with me since Christmas. He's a good lad and I'm glad to give him the opportunities. He went to Australia last year and had 30 rides."

As De Pique was backed from 4/1 to 5/2 before racing and went off the 2/1 favourite. He won a two and a half mile handicap chase at Down Royal on Friday evening.

Ian McCarthy was 1lb overweight on the runner-up.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson