'It's magical' - Eric McNamara continues red-hot form as Danny Mullins makes all on Real Steel in Munster National

Danny Mullins never saw another rival in the €100,000 BoyleSports JT McNamara Munster National as Real Steel jumped with aplomb en route to a commanding victory, extending the spectacular form of Eric McNamara and giving him a special success.

A smaller field of 12 went to post than initially planned as there were five withdrawals due to the ground and Mullins took up a lead he would never relinquish from the start. The challengers were beginning to circle turning for home as the 13-8 favourite Horantzau D'Airy and Chemical Energy stalked the leader.

Paul Townend seemed to be slowly eating into Real Steel's advantage approaching the penultimate fence on board the favourite, but Mullins was only ambling through the gears on his mount.

Once he became more animated in the saddle, the response was immediate as the pair darted two lengths clear approaching the last before putting in an assured leap and extending the advantage to three and a half lengths at the line, the pair obliging at 8-1. 

Horantzau D'Airy kept on for second and Chemical Energy filled the third spot, while McNamara also saddled Falco Blitz in fourth.

The victory came 25 years after McNamara last won the prestigious handicap with Kaselectric, who scored when the race was run at Cork. 

"It's a fantastic win and we're just having a fantastic time of it," said the winning trainer. "To win that race is very special. I won it a long time ago with a horse called Kaselectric. Paul Moloney rode him, the clerk of the course now.

"I'm over the moon and Danny was exceptional on him, he really was. He popped him out and it worked out great. It's magical."

It formed the second leg of a double for the trainer, who also saddled the 3-1 favourite Spring Meadow to land the 2m3½f handicap hurdle under Sean Flanagan, and the day added a further flourish to an incredible run of form for the yard. The stable claimed the trainers' title at the Listowel harvest festival last month with five winners.

The JP McManus-sponsored charity sweepstake was won by Down Syndrome Limerick, who were in jubilant form as they welcomed back Real Steel to the winner's enclosure, with the success earning them first prize of €20,000.

The Big Chap lands big pot

The Big Chap bounced back to form to land the €45,000 STL Logistics Handicap Chase for Paul Flynn under an ice-cool ride by Danny Gilligan.

The field was taken along by Caesar Rock, who was finding plenty for pressure as he turned in, but Gilligan was motionless alongside on board the 11-2 winner.

Although he was a little low at the second-last, he didn't lose momentum and shot into an unassailable lead. Victory was in safe keeping when he produced an agile leap at the final fence, with Caesar Rock sticking to his task in second four and a quarter lengths away.

Having run below par over hurdles at Gowran Park 16 days earlier, the seven-year-old was back to his best over fences and Cheltenham could be on the agenda next month.

"It was a suitable race, being for second-season novices, and the ground was key," said Flynn. "We had aimed for a race at Killarney this summer but it turned up soft, although he still ran well. That's his trip.

"We'll go to the November meeting at Cheltenham with him for a 0-145. I think he'll get into it and I'd love to go to Aintree with him too."

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