CHELTENHAM NEWS

Bailey provides positive Imperial Aura update

Trainer Kim Bailey has reported Imperial Aura to be in good order ahead of his tilt at next month’s Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Imperial Racing Partnership-owned eight-year-old will be looking to join an elite list of dual Cheltenham Festival winners following his success in last year’s Listed Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Imperial Aura followed that success up with victories at Carlisle and Ascot at the start of the new season, but concerns were raised when he unseated jockey David Bass on his most recent appearance in the Grade Two Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month.

Bailey has now moved to address those concerns by revealing the son of Kalanisi has shown no ill effects from the incident and he remains on course to run in the Ryanair Chase at Prestbury Park on March 18.

“Everything is good with Imperial Aura and he remains on course for the Ryanair,” Bailey was quoted as saying by Racing TV.

“He did his first piece of work since the Kempton race last week and that all went very well. He has been schooling at home and that was pleasing as well.

“I don’t believe it was anything else at Kempton bar, something just catching his eye going into the fence, and David Bass feels that is all it was as well. We are happy with his jumping.”