Is there a descent better than the san Marino in the same sort of distance from Manchester?!

Not done that one but Jacobs ladder, & Ladybower have loads of great stuff up there, I believe there is some stuff round Tod & Hebden, similar distance just takes longer…

Cut Gate descent into Langsett?

Don’t know about better than SM (not ridden Winter Hill yet), but Cut Gate is quite a special trail IMHO. Top Dog of the Dark Peak bws IMHO.

Quite a bit in Calderdale but it does take a bit longer to get there. Depends what you’re into – the good thing about San Marino is it’s long but there’s not much technical challenge (it is very fun though).