Imperial Aura has travelled the right path to glory in novice handicap chase

Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed) | 2m4f | Old course | 5yo+ 0-145 | RTV

Two of the last three British-trained winners of this race came via the same novice handicap on Trials Day that Imperial Aura finished second in last time. A more even gallop, which seems likely in this 19-runner affair, would give him every chance to improve again and so the favourite can definitely be said to set a fair standard.

The Irish have started to get to grips with this race. They have brought two of the last three winners and Trainwreck has snuck in at the bottom of the weights for last year's winning combination of Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He shaped best in a Grade A handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival last time and remains unexposed over this trip.

The way to this race has been even clearer for Galvin, who was a smart novice hurdler last season and has been brought along slowly in three strong novices for Gordon Elliott.

It is generally a case that a Grade 2 standard of form is needed in this race and Hold The Note has taken the rare step of showing that the other way around. He was outstayed in that grade over 3m last time and returns to handicap company at what is expected to be his optimum trip.

It is worth mentioning that this race tends to throw up fewer surprises than might be expected from a competitive big-field novices' handicap. Only twice from 15 runnings has the winner returned an SP bigger than 12-1, the more recent of those in 2013.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Precious Cargo and Champagne Mystery
Precious Cargo will definitely enjoy the extra half mile and he loves soft ground. Champagne Mystery is a free-running, enthusiastic horse who will enjoy the trip as well.

Jack Channon, assistant to Mick Channon, trainer of Hold The Note
This has been the plan since he ran at Warwick as we thought three miles in that soft ground just stretched him. Coming back to a stiff two and a half miles should suit him down to the ground. We think a lot of him and he goes with a real live chance.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Espoir De Guye
Unfortunately he didn't make it to Ascot in February, so we haven't run him since December. But he seems to be in good shape and it's his first visit to Cheltenham. This is always a competitive race but he deserves to take his chance. Hopefully he'll be competitive.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Torpillo and Earlofthecotswolds
Earlofthecotswolds has been improving all the time so we'll see how he gets on. Torpillo is going up to two and a half [miles] for the first time and that might bring about some improvement. He's got some good form at the track too.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Knight In Dubai and Beakstown
Knight In Dubai is in good form and I felt he was outstayed in bad ground by a strong stayer last time. Beakstown is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and he wouldn't want too much rain. We've deliberately kept him away from bad ground this winter, but he's in really good order. It's an extremely competitive race.

Kim Bailey, trainer of Imperial Aura
I think he's been a touch overhyped, but then I would say that wouldn't I? He's 7lb higher than when he was beaten there last time, but he's had a very good preparation and I'd be hopeful of a good run from him in a tough race.

Jeremy Scott, trainer of Champagne Court
It started off well with wins at Sandown and Plumpton and then he wasn't right for a while. He was slightly undercooked for his run at Cheltenham last time and the ground was soft enough too. Whether he has enough in hand from the handicapper for a race like this I don't know, but he has experience around the course and I would expect a good showing from him.

Champagne Court: struck at Sandown and Plumpton this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Galvin
We’ve had this race in mind for him for quite a few months. The one worry I would have is he lacks a bit of experience in big-field handicaps, but he ran quite well here last year in the Ballymore and we think he’s got a good chance.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Highest Sun
He hasn't been finishing his races and we've had two moderate runs out of him but we schooled him last week and he jumped better than he ever has. We're going to put the tongue-tie on but he's going to have to find his best form to have any chance.

Geroid O'Loughlin, trainer of Mitchouka
I’m delighted with him. He travelled over great and I rode him out myself on Monday morning and he felt great. If the real Mitchouka shows up, he could have a say. He’s a bit of a monkey, but I do think he’s a bit overpriced.

Noel Meade, trainer of Daly Tiger
He's a big price and probably a hopeful runner but he had a little hold-up earlier in the season and I'd expect him to improve plenty for his last run at Punchestown when the ground would have been too soft for him.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Trainwreck
He looks to have a fair mark and hopefully should run well. It looks as though I've been running him over the wrong trip, the extra distance helped him when running very well to finish second at Leopardstown last time.

Henry Daly, trainer of Whatmore
He's a strong travelling horse so a fast, hard run two and a half would suit him well.
Peter Scargill

Spotlight verdict

The market for this race is about right and, contrary to regular temptations in competitive handicaps, it's probably best to concentrate on those towards the head of the betting. Imperial Aura (nap) has plenty going for him and he gets the vote over Galvin, with Beakstown third choice and Espoir De Guye fourth on the shortlist. Hold The Note and Trainwreck are also worth a mention.
Steve Boow

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