Realt ready for champion date

Multiple Grade One-winning chaser Realt Dubh is likely to test his staying powers over three miles for the first time in the Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.

The eight-year-old won three times at the highest level during a successful novice campaign over fences but although he is a point-to-point winner, the furthest he has won over under Rules is two and a half miles.

He missed the majority of last season through injury, but did run a couple of decent races in the spring, most notably when second to Sizing Europe in the two-mile Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

He could tackle the same rival over a mile further in Northern Ireland this weekend.

Trainer Noel Meade said: “He’s definitely big in the mix at the moment. I’d say at this stage he’ll probably run.

“It will be interesting to see how he gets on over three miles. When we ran him over two and a half miles in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse as a novice, he didn’t seem to get home, but he has won over two and a half and now we’re trying him over even further.

“He’s in good form at home and Paul (Carberry) has always wanted to try him over a trip, so we’ll see how we get on.”

Dessie Hughes has his string in excellent form at this early stage of the season and he is keen to let Magnanimity take his chance.

The eight-year-old is one of four entries owned by the Gigginstown House Stud along with last year’s winner Quito de La Roque, Roi Du Mee and First Lieutenant.

“He’ll definitely go there. It was a good run the last day at Punchestown. I think he’s back to himself,” said Hughes.