Realt ready to sparkle in Arkle

THE Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh is the sole Irish challenger in this afternoon’s Arkle Novices’ Chase.

Despite flying the flag alone, the gelding boasts form equivalent to that achieved by his British counterparts and he could be ready to right the wrong of former stablemate Hill Society’s defeat in this race back in 1998.

Although he has been competing in much more testing conditions in his homeland, Meade doesn’t expect the better surface to prove a problem. “He’s travelled over great and seems in great form. I couldn’t be happier with him,” said Meade.