Steel Ally Shines at Ascot as Sam Thomas Eyes Welsh National Glory
Steel Ally won the Grade Two Noel Novice Chase at Ascot by nine lengths, ridden by Dylan Johnston. The field comprised five runners, with No Questions Asked as the 7-5 favourite briefly challenging and Push The Button finishing second after a late run. Steel Ally, who went off at odds of 11-4, is now priced around 33-1 for the Arkle Trophy Novice Chase at Cheltenham next year.
Welsh trainer Sam Thomas is targeting the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on 27 December, where he will saddle two horses: Jubilee Express and Shomen Uchi. Jubilee Express is described as a big, burly, battle-hardened type, while Shomen Uchi is considered classier but fragile, with limited racing experience. Thomas, who trains near Cardiff, expressed pride in being a Welshman and emphasized the importance of competing in big races for Welsh-trained horses.
Meanwhile, Honesty Policy, trained by Gordon Elliott, is a leading contender for the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday at 2:25 pm. Honesty Policy boasts credentials including a Mersey Novice Hurdle win and a strong performance at the Punchestown Festival. The Wallpark is also entered, with Impose Toi as the strongest home-trained rival. Impose Toi has run 15 races compared to Honesty Policy’s five. At around 5-2, Honesty Policy is positioned as a solid bet to lead the staying hurdle division.
Notably, the Long Walk Hurdle is the only non-novice Grade One race in British jumping never won by an Irish-trained horse, a record that might be broken in the 2025 renewal.
