THOMAS CAN DREAM AS STEEL SHINES

STEEL ALLY showed his mettle to take his tally over fences to 2-2 in Ascot's Howden Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot - and trigger dreams of Grade 1 glory.

- BY DAVID YATES

A five-length winning start over the larger obstacles at Carlisle last month earned the seven-year-old, trained by Sam Thomas for boss Dai Waiters, a step up to Grade 2 level.

And Dylan Johnston's mount took the step up in class in his stride, jumping with assurance en route to a nine-length humbling of Push The Button, an effort that earned the winner a 12-1 quote for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in march.

“Before he was a bit gung-ho and always did a bit too much in his races,” observed Thomas. “He's always shown a touch of class, and the more he settles, the world's his oyster. I don't see why we can't be dreaming. He settled, jumped and it's pleasing to see him put the race to bed like that.”

Tony Barney, whose Jango Baie locks horns with the Willie Mullins pair Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, saw his colours carried to an impressive success by Crystal Island in the Howden Maiden Hurdle.