Realt Mor in front at Fairyhouse© Photo Healy Racing
Six horses in the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse and six in with a chance coming to the last.
It was Realt Mor the 10/1 outsider of six though who managed to repel all-comers from the front.
Davy Condon, recording a Fairyhouse double, popped his mount into the lead from flagfall in the two and a half mile contest.
Coming to three out it looked like Buckers Bridge would prove to be the main danger, however, he blundered away his chance with a bad mistake at that fence.
The winner himself made a mistake two out, but he was never headed and keep going resolutely to the line. Dedigout the 11/4 favourite, stayed on best for second beaten two and a half lengths.
Davy Condon said: “We always thought he had a fair engine. He had ear plugs in for the first time today. He settled and is well able to jump.
“He seems to handle soft ground really well. We thought if he was placed it would be great.
“He’s a big horse. The Dial-a-bet chase at Leopardstown over two miles would be perfect.”
Gordon Elliott added: “It has been some day. I’ve had four winners and nearly five, beaten a short head. We’ll enjoy tonight.
“This lad was good at Navan last time. It looked a bad race, but the distance he won, a bad horse can’t do that.
“I think he’s a lot better going left-handed. I’m delighted for the Sloans. They’ve had a Cheltenham winner and a Grade 1 winner in the space of two weeks.
“He’s a free running type and very keen. He lives in a field 24/7 and is never in a stable. I’m not sure about Punchestown. That may be it for the year and if he doesn’t win again he doesn’t owe us.
“I only got the horse in the new year. I have to give credit to the lads who have done lots of work with him.”
As regards his other runner – Mount Benbulben who finished fourth he said: “I still think he’s the best horse in the race but his jumping let him down.
“The last four fences he mowed through them and was still only beaten seven or eight lengths.”
When asked about Romanescu, who runs in the Irish Grand National tomorrow he commented: “I think the ground has gone a bit tacky for him and that’s a bit of a worry.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
