Doctor Steinberg far too good at Leopardstown

Doctor Steinberg maintained his perfect record over hurdles with a comprehensive victory in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Hot on the heels of wins at Galway and Navan, where he accounted for subsequent Grade Two winner Thedeviluno, the Willie Mullins-trained Doctor Dino gelding again demonstrated his liking for obstacles when galloping home eight lengths clear in the hands of Paul Townend.

Yeshil made the early running, but the 7-4 favourite took up the running two out and quickly put the race to bed, with Kazansky staying on for second.

“It was very impressive on that ground, it’s very tough,” said Mullins.

“Every time we’ve gone up in trip he seems to like it. He’s out of a Cyborg mare and that’s all stamina.

“I think we bought two off Walter (Connors) that year, Kopek Des Bordes and this fella, so it’s a 100 per cent record in Grade Ones which is fantastic.

“It was probably going to the last the first time before he relaxed. There was a horse up his backside everywhere he went and he was very free, but he kept galloping. The fact that could pull like that and still be galloping at the end of two-miles-six on very tough ground.

“We thought he was a summer horse first so he goes on all sorts of ground, but he seems to be better when he has tougher conditions.”

Doctor Steinberg shortened to 2-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over three miles at the Cheltenham Festival with Paddy Power and Mullins added: “He does everything right.”