RACING:THE DANGER of betting short odds has rarely been better illustrated than at Leopardstown yesterday when Mikael D'Haguenet's sky-high reputation was dealt a serious blow by Realt Dubh's success in the €90,000 Grade One feature.

Just a fortnight after a spectacular return to action at Fairyhouse, Mikael D’Haguenet started a 4 to 7 favourite for the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase but instead of the expected rout, Willie Mullins’s star runner could only struggle home fifth.

That could have been sixth had not the pace-forcing Saludos, ridden by Robbie Power, crashed out at the last when still leading but while Mikael D’Haguenet floundered, Realt Dubh took full advantage to beat Noble Prince by five lengths.

It was another Grade One this week for the Noel Meade-Paul Carberry team after Pandorama’s Lexus success on Tuesday but as much post-race attention centred on the beaten favourite as the winner.

“He looked to run very flat and I’m hoping that’s due to coming out again so soon after Fairyhouse. I don’t know if it’s a question of a ‘bounce’ but it has not been ideal with all this prolonged getting ready due to all the cancellations,” said a disappointed Mullins.

“From the first one down the back, I wasn’t pleased with his jumping and I was actually much happier with his jumping at Fairyhouse. There are no plans for him just yet,” he added.

Bookmaker reaction was decisive and Paddy Power removed Mikael D’Haguenet from both their Gold Cup and RSA Chase betting markets. William Hill also took him out of their Gold Cup list and doubled his RSA price to 16 to 1.

In contrast Realt Dubh has been introduced to the Arkle betting at 25 to 1 after indicating to his trainer that a return to two miles was right up his street.

“I was disappointed in the Drinmore. He turned in going very well and just flattened. Two miles looks more his trip and ideally we will come back here for the Irish Arkle. Then we might dare to dream again we could have something to run in the Arkle at Cheltenham,” Noel Meade said.

The unlucky horse of the race was Saludos who took a crashing fall under Power when still holding every chance.

“He’s fine. There was plenty left in the tank but you have to jump them,” said his trainer Jessica Harrington.