9th-Dec-2023

Slade Steel is short enough, but I thought that he would be even shorter, I thought that he should have been favourite, and it is worth backing him, even at 2/1.

Henry de Bromhead’s horse was a high-class bumper horse, and he was impressive in winning at Naas on his hurdling bow.  He stayed on well to come away from King Of Kingsfield, who ran a massive race last weekend to finish second in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Hurdle.

Slade Steel came under a ride early enough that day, his stamina kicked in from the second last, so he should appreciate the step up in trip today to two and a half miles.  It is an intriguing race, I think that Lecky Watson is the biggest danger, but he may be at his best over closer to three miles.  He won his maiden at Thurles over two miles and seven furlongs.

SLADE STEEL WON (ADV 2/1, SP 2/1)