STEEL DELIVERS FOR IN-FORM SAM

STEEL ALLY extended the red-hot run of trainer Sam Thomas with an impressive debut over fences at Carlisle yesterday.

- By Melissa Jones

The 143-rated hurdler was up against four experienced rivals in the £50,000 Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase.

Steel Ally was favoured by the weights and was sent off a strong 8-11 favourite to be an instant hit in his new discipline.

The seven-year-old carried the silks of Dai Walters into the lead when front-running Classic Maestro exited at the fourth obstacle.