Real Steel, red cap, blunders at the last but stays on to win in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Real Steel won a three-way lunge for the line in the two mile handicap chase at Punchestown.
The 11/4 favourite disputed the lead throughout with Foildubh but on the run to the second last he edged ahead of his rival who came under pressure. Mister Hotelier made good headway to move into a close second jumping the second last with Foildubh not far away in third, but under the whip.
Real Steel wasn't fluent at the second last and David Mullins went for the whip coming to the last. He was narrowly headed by Mister Hotelier jumping that obstacle and ploughed through it.
However, Mullins quickly got him on an even keel and he stayed on stoutly to beat the battling Foildubh (10/1) by half a length. Mister Hotelier (7/2) was a nose further away in third.
Handler Mouse Morris said: "He did well as he did everything bar fall at the last. He stuck on well.
"I don't know where we'll go but he probably wants a little bit further. For his first handicap it wasn't a bad performance. They went a fair gallop.
"I'd give my right arm to win a Plate! I'll have a few for it hopefully and he'll certainly be on the list."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
