LIMERICK trainer Eric McNamara has a busy weekend ahead of him at his local track with eight entries across the two-day meeting, headlined by his Paddy Power Chase winner Real Steel in the Ladbrokes Munster National (4.15) on Sunday.
Formerly with Willie Mullins and more recently Paul Nicholls, the 10-year-old bounced back to form last Christmas at Leopardstown and he is only 3lb higher than the rating he had for that win.
“This has been the plan for him,” said the Rathkeale handler who won the three-mile contest with Kaselectric when the race was run at Cork in 1999. “He usually needs a run and he came out of Listowel very well. We think he has improved.
“He is in particularly good form but I suppose all his best form is on better ground, so you’d be slightly worried about the heavy ground but we’re going to let him take his chance.”
Real Steel faces 12 rivals, eight of which are provided by Gordon Elliott. Frontal Assault and Run Wild Fred were favoured in the first show of betting since declarations.
Elsewhere, McNamara is hopeful of a winner on a big weekend at his local track.
“We’re looking forward to running Millstream Lady (3.05 Sunday), who won in Listowel,” he said. “She has been in good form since and she will take her chance, I think she’ll go very close.
“Mont Saint Vincent (3.40 Sunday) ran in Fairyhouse and we think he has come on for that run. Mag Dillane (1.55 Sunday) has been placed in one or two bumpers. She is in good shape and ready to run on Sunday in the mares’ maiden hurdle and I’d like to think she’ll run very well.”
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