Eric McNamara with his son Conor © Photo Healy Racing
Eric McNamara reports his Paddy Power Chase winner Real Steel ‘in great shape’ after landing the €200,000 feature handicap at Leopardstown last week.
The French-bred gelding was a smart sort winning six times for Willie Mullins and was only beaten about seven lengths behind former stablemate Al Boum Photo in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
However, he really lost his way after a switch to Paul Nicholls yard and was snapped up by McNamara for owner Tadhg Moynihan at Doncaster in May for 27,000 pounds.
That proved an inspired purchase as he showed promise in two autumn outings before striking gold with a memorable victory under the trainer's son Conor in the ultra-competitive three miles test.
“Real Steel is in great shape after his win the other day and Donkey Years is perfect as well. Unfortunately he went at the fifth but both horses are a hundred per cent,” said the Rathkeale trainer.
McNamara can now dream of further big race targets with the ten-year-old and added, “I suppose you would have to think about the Irish National for Real Steel but we’ll find something for him before that.
“The ground will probably be too heavy in the Thyestes but we’ll see. I wouldn’t mind waiting for the spring meetings.”
