Steel Ally is three from three over fences after a wide-margin win in the Bet Smarter With Oddschecker Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

Sam Thomas’ eight-year-old was the 10/11 favourite in a small field of three, with Ben Pauling’s Mambonumberfive considered his key rival at 11/8.

It was the outsider, Dan Skelton’s Mirabad, who made the running at a good pace and that took its toll as Mambonumberfive lost ground over his fences.

Steel Ally fared best of all, taking over at the head of affairs turning into the straight to canter home 10 lengths ahead under Dylan Johnston.

“He was very good. I’m really pleased to keep him unbeaten over fences and though there were only three runners, I thought it was a pretty true-run race,” said Thomas.

“I was thrilled to see him put a bit of distance between him and the horses behind him.

“He had a couple of blips over hurdles but on the whole he’s been very progressive for us and he’s certainly showed that he likes jumping fences.”

Of future plans for the horse, Thomas added: “The Arkle is most certainly an option, he has the entry and it’s to be discussed with the boss, Mr (Dai) Walters (owner).

“We’ve got a few weeks to make a decision and I couldn’t say either way today, but he’s a lovely horse and a lovely horse for the future.”

Decision pays off

Jamie Snowden’s decision to go back over the smaller obstacles with Hollygrove Cha Cha paid dividends when she made all the running to win the Mares’ Hurdle on the same card.

Winner of one of her three races over fences, she only faced three rivals in this blacktype contest.

Well backed near the off, she went off the 5/4 favourite eventually and Gavin Sheehan quickly sent her into an early lead.

Going a good pace in the testing conditions, her main market rival Jubilee Alpha did close in on the bend but Sheehan had saved plenty and she bounded clear close to home to win by four lengths.

The race has provided two Cheltenham Festival winners in recent years with Paul Webber’s Indefatigable going on to win the Martin Pipe in 2020 while Nicky Henderson’s Marie’s Rock was successful in the Mares’ Hurdle in 2022.

“That was great performance, it was a lovely ride from Gavin and just what the horse deserves,” said Snowden.

“We’ve been campaigning her over fences and the plan was really to go to Exeter on Sunday, but that was always likely to be called off and we thought this was an entry that was worth exploiting.

“Thankfully it paid off and she ran a cracking race. She stays very well and handles deep ground.

“I think we can look to swap and change between hurdles and fences, running in listed and graded races over both. I don’t think she minds or it matters which she jumps.”