Game Dubh the realt deal
At Leopardstown at Christmas he slammed Noble Prince by five lengths, but that rival reduced the margin here to a hard-earned short head.
The principals swept ahead going to the final fence and it was Realt Dubh — none too clever at the fourth last — who just about lasted it out the best.
“He stuck to his guns well”, remarked a delighted Meade. “He stays a shade beyond two miles and that was a help.
“He was working better coming here than before Christmas and will now head for the Arkle at Cheltenham.”
This display, however, caused little more than a ripple in the ante-post market. Ladbrokes left him on 14-1, while William Hill decided 16-1, from 20’s, was the way to behave.
Willie Mullins’ Flat Out was the unlucky horse of the contest. He cruised into the lead going to the second last, but stepped into the obstacle and unseated Emmet Mullins.
Andrew McNamara gave Hidden Cyclone a canny drive to land the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle.
McNamara wanted a lead for as long as possible but, when the front-running Fully Funded wasn’t going fast enough, he decided to allow his charge to stride on with under a circuit to travel.
And this imposing Shark Hanlon-trained six-year-old made the rest, easily holding Ballyhaunis in the straight, despite hitting the last.
Said Hanlon: “Andrew was very clever, we thought we would be in behind a bit longer, but he did the right thing.
“I am not over-keen on Cheltenham, but if he does run there then it will be in the Neptune. That being the case he wouldn’t run again before then.
“But he loves cut in the ground and I think will make a top-class chaser next season. He will never again drop back to two miles.”
Hanlon completed a double with newcomer, Mart Lane, in the Bumper. Mart Lane is a full-brother to Hanlon’s Western Leader, a horse of immense potential, who broke down badly at Aintree.
Brian Hayes set the Stowaway gelding alight early in the straight and he kept pulling it out to resist the persistent challenge of Burn And Turn. Commented Hanlon: “I thought he would have been more impressive! I was thinking of Cheltenham, but will talk to Barry (Connell, owner) before making a decision.”
Willie Mullins’ Day Of A Lifetime made a smashing start to the season with a fine performance in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
This was also his initial pop over jumps and he is clearly a horse with a big future. Day Of A Lifetime travelled like a dream through the contest and only had to be nudged out by Paul Townend to ease past Gift Of Dgab on the run in.
“He blew it at Cheltenham, but we have always thought he was a good horse and he’s shown it here”, said Mullins.
“He will get an entry at Cheltenham, in both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Neptune, but needs to brush up his jumping a bit!”
By The Hour, last of eleven to Curragh Glen at Clonmel previously, was a hard one to find in the Ryan’s Event Cleaners Handicap Chase, but the 16-1 shot did her job in style.
Trained by Robert Tyner, he was represented by his wife, Mary. Commented Ms Tyner: “She didn’t want to know the last day, that was a big improvement.”
Philip Enright produced the mare in the straight and she stayed on dourly to beat well-backed favourite, Questions Answered.
A two miles and five handicap, back at Leopardstown, is now the plan for By The Hour.
Colm Murphy’s Glam Gerry, venturing into handicap company for the first time, landed the New Tote Daily Double Hurdle in the hands of Mark Walsh.
He found plenty for Walsh pressure to wear down Bruach Na Mara, the verdict half a length.
Said Murphy: “It was a big ask, dropping him in at the deep end. The penny is just beginning to drop with him and we will see what Noel (O’Brien, handicapper) does now.”
The attendance was 7,030, up from 6,814 last year. The bookmakers, however, were down from €863,404 a year ago to €785,275.
