settled close up in 4th, 3rd travelling strongly 4 out, smooth headway to dispute before 2 out, narrowly headed at last, found little under pressure run-in
tracked leader, led before 4th, strongly pressed and joined before 2 out, led narrowly at last, kept on best under pressure closing stages
raced mainly 3rd, ridden along in 4th 4 out, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace
led, headed before 4th, dropped to 3rd after 3 out, soon ridden and no extra before last
Spring The Que is a regular around here and has won twice over timber. He's still a maiden over fences but has gone very close on a couple of occasions. Majestic Oak is 7lb higher than when landing a handicap at Navan in February. He'll be better for a recent spin over timber and will enjoy the ground but SECOND GLANCE gets the nod. Charlie Swan's mare couldn't cope with Gentleman Jim at Punchestown on Friday but ran well and an earlier success over subsequent winner Tawrific Laois over today's C&D points to her chances. The Book Thief has won between the flags, over hurdles and in a bumper but makes his handicap debut after three very moderate efforts over fences.
Spring The Que (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Held up, 11th halfway, some progress on inner 4 out, 7th 3 out, 5th under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 16l behind Osirixamix (10-12) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.
Majestic Oak (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, no extra 3 out, 19th of 20, well behind Bale O'shea (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Oct.
The Book Thief (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, 12th of 15, well behind Torphichen (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 1f beg chs in Dec.
Second Glance (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased clear leader in 2nd, 6 lengths behind when slight mistake 4 out, no impression on winner after next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Gentleman Jim (10-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec.