Slade Steel
Slade Steel kept on well to win the two-mile maiden hurdle at Naas last Sunday. He came under a ride early enough, but he found lots, he stayed on well to beat King Of Kingsfield, who had finished third behind A Dream To Share and Tullyhill in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown last season. The time was good too, the fastest comparative time on the card and fully 15 seconds faster than the time that Smooth Tom clocked in winning the two-mile handicap hurdle.
Henry de Bromhead's horse could step up to two and a half miles in time, but a strongly-run two miles seemed to suit him well here. He is out of a mare whose two wins were gained over two and a half miles, but he obviously has two-mile pace, at least given a stiff test over two miles. He has an entry in the Royal Bond Hurdle, and he will be of interest if he lines up in that, and he will be of interest too later in the season if and when he steps up in trip.
Naas, 12th November 2023
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