Dubh bids to bounce back Noel Meade is hopeful Realt Dubh can get back to winning ways in the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. The six-year-old created a favourable impression when making a winning start to his career over fences at Navan a couple of starts back, but blotted his copybook with a fall at Galway. Meade believes his charge is essentially a talented jumper and expects him to put the record straight in Sunday's Grade Two contest. The County Meath handler also saddles Darceys Dancer. "We don't really know what would have happened the last day. When you fall you always think you would have gone close," said Meade. "It was a bit uncharacteristic of him as he ran in a few point-to-points and jumped well and he jumped well on his first run over fences. "He's always schooled nicely, but you never know in a novice chase and these things happen. "Hopefully he gets a clear round on Sunday. Darceys Dancer is a nice horse but I suppose the ground is way against him. "Realt Dubh should handle the ground all right." Six runners are set to go to post with the Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince a huge contender following an impressive chase debut at the track in October.
