THE Grade 1 Iroquois Steeplechase on May 12th was billed as the rematch between Mr. Hot Stuff, Modem and All The Way Jose, the first three home in last year’s richest race, the American Grand National at Far Hills.

Nobody gave the script to Zanjabeel, British-bred but Irish-raced.The five-year-old graduated from the novice division last year and solidified himself as the sport’s best open stakes horse with a five-length drubbing of Irish-breds Modem and Jamarjo. Mr. Hot Stuff faded to fourth and All The Way Jose fell while leading on the backstretch the final time.