raced in 2nd, not fluent 4th, improved on inner to lead 4 out, pressed straight, drifted left approaching last, stayed on well run-in
fell 2nd
raced in 3rd, pushed along on outer after 4 out, improved to be 2nd before straight, soon challenged, carried to left before last, switched run-in and kept on well without matching winner
led, wandered briefly before 1st, some slight mistakes, headed 4 out, dropped to 3rd before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out
soon raced last of the 4, slight mistake 7th, struggling to get to leaders approaching 4 out, soon no impression
CAPTAIN CHRIS had Realt Dubh almost nine lengths behind when brilliantly landing the Arkle at Cheltenham and though the latter has since scored at this level there appears no reason for a form reversal. Philip Hobbs' charge was reverting to the minimum trip at the Festival and was very impressive in beating Finian's Rainbow, who franked the form in no uncertain terms at Aintree subsequently. Realt Dubh's latest success came over 2m4f and he doesn't quite appear to have the pace of the selection. Saludos was giving supporters of Realt Dubh a fright when falling at Leopardstown in December but he's at his best on heavy going while Sweeps Hill has only run twice over fences and lacks experience.
Captain Chris (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, switched inside and headway 4 out, chased leader after next, switched right to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead after last, stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating Finian's Rainbow (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Osirixamix (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Prominent, 3rd halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by Un Hinged (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Realt Dubh (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th before 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, improved to challenge when left clear 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 gd in Apr beating Loosen My Load (11-10) by 11l, 7 ran.
Saludos (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Made all, strongly pressed throughout, ridden and challenged last, kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m nov chs G2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Montan (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Cruising Katie (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, 3rd halfway, led after 4 out, pushed along from before 2 out, headed under pressure at last, no impression and kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Coscorrig (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Chase (Listed) (5yo+) (1) gd in Apr.
Sweeps Hill (NZ) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before straight, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 37l behind Kakagh (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
