Realt Dubh

Realt Dubh ran a big race in the Ladbrokes Hurdle, the big two-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on Tuesday on his seasonal debut. Paul Carberry held the six-year-old up at the back of the 12-runner field behind a decent pace set by Un Hinged in a tightly-bunched field. Realt Dubh began to make ground from the back after they jumped the flight before the straight, got a clear run on the outside and was still going well as they turned in and approached the second last. Un Hinged pressed on again from the front as Carberry gave his horse a squeeze and Realt Dubh picked up well and stayed on nicely to take third place behind the winner and C’Est Ca, beaten around five lengths in total.

This was a really promising effort from Realt Dubh especially given that it was his first run since he ran in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2009. He stayed on really well at the end of the race when he could easily have been forgiven for tiring in the ground after such an absence. He should come on for this and strip a much fitter horse next time.

The form of the race looks good. Realt Dubh managed to split Willie Mullins’s trio who look very progressive. Tarkari and C’Est Ca ran very well in the MCR Hurdle at Leopardstown earlier in the year, while the winner, although a 10-year-old, is very useful over hurdles and on the flat. He was the beneficiary of a change in tactics here that saw him set the pace from the front and this seemed to suit him really well. It is also worth pointing out that the Noel Meade yard hasn't been in good form of late, the stable unusually failed to have a winner at the Easter festival with several fancied runners not performing. If this is the case, it looks as an even better run from Realt Dubh.

A son of Beneficial, he has some very smart bumper and novice form. He was only beaten a short head by multiple bumper winner Luska Lad on his second run and went on to win on his next start impressively by 10 lengths at Punchestown. His hurdles form includes good placed efforts behind Mikael D’Haguenet and Cousin Vinny. His trainer thought highly enough of him to go to Cheltenham where he was not suited when upped in trip and he looks more at home back over the minimum distance. Most of his form is on soft or heavy ground, and he will be of interest if he lines up at Punchestown.

6th April 2010

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