Ross Millar: Ascot review and Monday tips

Ascot provided two really enjoyable days of racing this weekend, with plenty of young horses building on promising reputations.

The standout performance on Friday came from the Sam Thomas-trained Steel Ally; he jumped impeccably when running away with the Grade Two Howden Noel Novices’ Chase over 2m3f. He often raced too freely over hurdles, but has looked far more compliant over fences, though he did briefly look to race freely when entering Swinley Bottom for the final time.

Sam Thomas is developing into a very fine trainer, he’s patient, has his horses well prepared and is becoming very adept at plotting out productive campaigns for his horses. 

His next challenge with Steel Ally will be to determine whether he has enough natural pace to drop back to two miles and aim at the Arkle in March (although it should be noted Sam is one of the few trainers who is happy to ignore a day-trip to the Cotswolds in March).

ThroughLump Sum, who was comfortably brushed aside by Lulamba earlier this month, he will have a fairly accurate guide. Personally, I think he looks like a three-miler in the making and it will be no surprise if his Christmas target next year in the Boxing Day feature, he’s a top-class horse in the making.

The theme of rapid improvers continued into Saturday. Deep Cave confirmed himself as a young staying chaser of immense potential with a gritty performance to win the Howden Silver Cup with a power-packed drive from the under-utilised Jack Tudor making the difference, though Rex Dingle, on runner-up Leave Of Absence, will surely regret leaving a gap up his inside.

Deep Cave won off a mark of 139 and is going to need a rise of around 6lb to be close to a certain run in the Grand National. This win is unlikely to secure that rise, but he remains open to plenty of improvement if Christian Williams elects to explore marathon trips.

A greater requirement of stamina has certainly seen Impose Toi take his form to another level. His classy win in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle extends his unbeaten record over three-miles to a perfect three from three.

He travelled beautifully into contention and, with a slick jump at the last, he got to the front. I’m not sure the official winning margin of one and a quarter lengths accurately recognises his dominance, as to my eye he’s a horse that does only the bare minimum when in front, this and the fact he hung towards the stand side rail would be minor concerns come the Stayers' Hurdle in March.

Impose Toi was the second leg of a double on the card for owner J P McManus, following on from Iroko’s win in the opening Graduation Chase. This was his first win since November 2023, during which time he’s contested eight races and been placed in a Grand National. Hats off to connections for spotting he was eligible for this race, but in a bloated race programme, surely Graduation Chases can be seen as surplus to requirements?

On Monday, the Racing TV cameras are at Musselburgh and Huntingdon, from where I have three selections.

There can be no doubt that, like most seasons, Henry Daly’s runners have all taken a significant step forward from their first run to their second.

It’s therefore probably reasonable to upgrade the performance of Petty Cash when he finished second at Chepstow on his return over an inadequate 2m3f.

The winner on that occasion, Ben Solo, was only narrowly beaten next time and is 10lb higher in the ratings. With that run behind him and over a more suitable trip, Petty Cash makes plenty of appeal off just a 1lb higher mark at a course where he’s shown winning form.

Runner-up in last years Derby, Ambiente Friendly looked in need of jumping practice when making his hurdling debut at Cheltenham last month, but shaped with a degree of promise.

His jumping again took a while to warm up over this course and distance two weeks ago, but his best jumps came in the closing stages when required and he impressed with his battling qualities. He only won by half a length, but the runner-up has winning bumper form and shouldn’t be underestimated.

If his jumping continues to progress, he should prove far better than this opening mark of 119.