15:00
Ascot
Noel Novices’ Chase: a runner-by-runner guide for Friday’s race of the day
It’s an exciting time of year in more ways than run but most importantly, the racing over the Christmas period is top-drawer. There’s more to come from Boxing Day onwards but Ascot‘s two-day meeting, which kicks off on Friday, will warm us up nicely.
The race of the day on Friday is the Grade 2 Noel Novices’ Chase so we’re going to take a close look at all five declared runners. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
1. Steel Ally
Sam Thomas’ seven-year-old was a very smart handicap hurdler last term and even came close to winning at graded level, when second by a neck in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell. Winning impressively at Carlisle on seasonal debut, he jumped very well on the whole and looks well up to winning at this level.
2. Jax Junior
This son of Jack Hobbs won three times as a novice hurdler last term and was particularly impressive at Cheltenham in April. Lucy Wadham’s gelding comfortably got the better of Jeriko Du Reponet in a Kempton novice last month and deserves another chance at this sort of level.
3. No Questions Asked
He made a winning start to his chasing career in a novice handicap over course and distance on his penultimate start, and it was a good performance off a mark of 136. Second in a warm Grade 2 at Newbury next time, another big run is expected. Ben Pauling’s runner is one of the highest rated runners in the field and shouldn’t be dismissed.
4. Personal Ambition
Another one for Ben Pauling, Personal Ambition finished second in this race last year and both runs this season have come over hurdles. This year’s renewal looks a lot warmer however and the six-year-old has plenty to find with most of his rivals on that evidence.
5. Push The Button
Push The Button only joined this yard in the autumn and he won a beginners’ chase at Carlisle on stable debut. Narrowly denied in a handicap at Wetherby after that, it’s hard to make a solid case for him winning at Grade 2 level off the back of that performance.
Verdict
Steel Ally made the perfect start to his chasing career with a commanding performance in a graduation chase at Carlisle. The extra three furlongs won’t be a problem, as he won a handicap hurdle over this trip last term, and further improvement could be on the cards.
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