Sullivan pair look useful

Owner Jared Sullivan enjoyed a double courtesy of a couple of promising youngsters including Real Steel on his Irish debut at Thurles. Beaten a nose at Fontainebleau in March when trained by Laurent Viel, the Loup Breton gelding was subsequently bought by the head of Potensis and joined Willie Mullins during the summer. The four year old jumped professionally throughout before showing a smart turn of foot after the last to beat bumper winner and market rival Daly Tiger by four and a half lengths. There was a further sixteen lengths back to the third. There is every reason to believe the form is sound and Real Steel looks a smart novice hurdler in the making. Paul Townend feels the gelding will benefit from stepping up to two and a half but his trainer indicated afterwards he may stick to the minimum trip for the time being.

Diese Des Bieffes made it two out of two over hurdles since switching to Nicky Henderson with a smooth six lengths win at Taunton. Unpenalised having won a conditional jockeys' novices' hurdle at Fontwell last time, Noel Fehily always looked happy aboard the grey gelding. Taking over between the final two flights, the son of Martaline readily pulled clear on the run-in. The four year old may not be one of the stable's top novices but he has been a good inclusion for the Top 40 Prospects of One Jump Ahead.