chased leaders, took closer order approaching 5 out, blundered next, driven to challenge before 2 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, led after 5th, drew 5 lengths clear after 2 out, held on gamely
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, weakened 3 out, modest 4th
led until after 5th, remained prominent, lost place 11th, kept on to take moderate 3rd closing stages
Clonbanan Lad was second to Penmore Hill an incident-packed hunter chase at Leicester earlier this month but is not easy to predict. Alan Hill may hold all the aces with MAN OF STEEL as the seven-year-old had won three of his four previous starts between the flags before winning a maiden hunter chase at Leicester, despite his rider losing her whip. Talkin Thomas was beaten 12 lengths when second at Curraigflemens earlier this month but has never won over fences in point-to-points or under Rules.
Man Of Steel (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Close up on outside, challenged before 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden clear after last, rider dropped whip final 100 yards, kept on, all out, won at Leicester 2m 4f mdn (6) hvy in Mar beating Thetalkinghorse (12-2) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Clonbanan Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Always prominent, tracked leader from 5th, led after 5 out to next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Penmore Mill (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f (3) hvy in Mar.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 7-1 (12-7) A bhnd; t.o & pu 14, at Larkhill 3m gs in Jan.
Talkin Thomas (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Hdwy 3 out; went 2nd nr fin, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Curraigflemens (12-0) at Parham 3m in Mar.
