chased leader in 2nd, mistake 2nd, ridden in 4th 3 out, challenged before 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden to narrow lead before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on strongly
led, headed before 3 out, soon ridden, no extra in 3rd 2 out, weakened from last
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened from 3 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 5 out, kept on one pace straight
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead before 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace to 3rd run-in
REALT DUBH held an entry in the John Durkan at Punchestown but Noel Meade has decided to sidestep that race and take on what appears to be an easier assignment. There's little doubt that the eight-year-old is a quality horse on his day, but his tendency to make errors has proved his undoing in the past, and he'll need a clear round to win. Blazing Tempo will give him something to think about on official ratings. A Grade 2 winner at Fairyhouse in January, she turns up for this engagement having dotted up in two mares' hurdles. Foildubh found Flemenstar too hot in the Fortria Chase though he still looks to be improving. Days Hotel looked useful before injury brought a premature closure to last season's campaign, and any support for Henry De Bromhead's lightly-raced sort would make him of interest.
Realt Dubh (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, bad mistake 5th, dropped towards rear before 5 out, ridden and no impression before straight, 4th of 5, 29l behind Flemenstar (11-9) at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Nov.
Days Hotel (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, improved to close 2nd halfway, led 5 out, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, strongly pressed last, kept on well to assert run-in, won at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov '11 beating Lucky William (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Echo Bob (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Attempted to make all, appeared to have upper hand when bad mistake last, headed and not match winner run-in, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Instant Impacked (10-1) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-140 hvy in Nov.
Foildubh (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Flemenstar (11-9) at Navan 2m chs Grd 2 (1) in Nov.
Let Yourself Go (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, last and slightly hampered 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on from last to moderate 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Sizing Europe (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Ninetieth Minute (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Disputed early, slow 3rd and dropped to rear, 6th but in touch when fell 3 out, in a race won by Hidden Cyclone (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Blazing Tempo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Made virtually all, joined 3 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well from last, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hdl gd in Sep beating Burn And Turn (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
