Steel’s Cotton can build on promise shown on hurdling debut

Steel’s Cotton gets the nap to land the Supporting the Irish Injured Jockeys’ Fund Mares’ Maiden Hurdle on this afternoon’s six-race card at Downpatrick.

Ian Ferguson’s horse was unmapped in a Fairyhouse bumper won by De Plotting Shed, but showed much more promise when fourth behind the well-backed Lofgren on her hurdling debut at Downpatrick 10 days ago.

Although she never quite landed a blow on that most recent outing, there were moments when she threatened to get competitive, and that gave plenty of hope that a race of this nature might be within her compass.