The Ascot Christmas Meeting got underway on Friday with the Grade 2 Noel Novices Chase being the highlight on a competitive card. The race was won by the Sam Thomas trained Steel Ally who was 9 lengths clear at the line after jumping for fun under Dylan Johnson. Owner Dai Walters looks to have another nice one after following up his Carlisle win and the step up to graded company proved no issue.
The finale was a Listed Bumper and this contest went to the Chris Gordon runner and favourite Bass Hunter who held off the staying on Tally Ho Back who ran a really encouraging race for the Twiston -Davis partnership. The winner followed up his Newbury debut under rules under trainer’s son Freddie Gordon.
On to Saturday and the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle took centre stage. Owner JP McManus was doubly represented by Impose Toi who had been winning at Newbury and Aintree prior to this in a Grade 2 and a Handicap. His other contender was the Gordon Elliot trained Honesty Policy who has not been seen since the Punchestown Festival back in April where he finished second in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle behind Jasmin De Vaux. Impose Toi prevailed here by just over a length from the veteran Strong Leader to take the prize for Henderson and de Boinville with Jp’s other runner under Mark Walsh back in third.
The Premier Handicap, the Siver Cup went to Deep Cave who collared Leave Of Absence on the line to win a head. The winner owned by long standing owner Sue Howell was completing a hatrick after victories at Bangor and Aintree earlier in the year for trainer Christian Williams and jockey Jack Tudor.
The finale, another Premier Handicap this time over hurdles saw the Greatwood winner from Cheltenham Alexie sent off a short price for such a competitive affair. However, the O’Neil trained and ridden Wilful took the honours from outsider Hot Fuss winning 3 lengths with the favourite back in third.
Over the water at Thurles the Tom Cooper trained Amen Kate took the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle under Jack Kennedy.
At Haydock the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle saw Supreme Malinas hold on by the shortest of margins from Park Princess for Dan Skelton and rider Tristan Durrell. Worth a mention too were doubles on the card for trainers Harry Derham and Sam England.