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Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase
Listed, Cheltenham 16:15
£70,000 added, 5yo plus,
2m 4f 44y, Class 1    
Tuesday 10th March 2020

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1 Imperial Aura 4/1J
2 Galvin 4/1J
3 Hold The Note 10/1
4 Whatmore 14/1
20 ran NR: Mellow Ben Distances: 3¼l, 9l, ½l
Time: 5m 24.32s (slow by 33.82s)

Talk of many a Festival preview night, Imperial Aura rewarded all those who listened by winning the Listed Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase by three and a quarter lengths.
 
The new sponsors specialise in investments and financial planning, and those who invested in the 4/1 joint-favourite - with runner-up Galvin - saw their net-worth rise accordingly. 
 
This always looked like the right race for Imperial Aura's after his runner-up finish in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase on Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day [25 January], which in recent years has proved a reliable guide to the outcome of this race. Trainer Kim Bailey confirmed as much, saying: "That was the plan."
 
"Obviously, we came here very hopeful. It's a huge relief as the anticipation has been high - today was the goal for the whole season. I'm not stupid, I read the papers and I knew everybody was tipping him.
 
"He ran a blinder here last time, when we knew that he wasn't 100 per cent. The horse had a very good preparation. He's a syndicate horse and it's a dream come true.
 
"He jumped really well here last time. We started at Fakenham with basically a walkover and just needed to get experience. Luckily, when he came here last time there were enough runners and he could get in amongst other horses. He is just a really nice horse and looked fantastic today. All credit to the team - Matt, Lee and everybody else.
 
"He has always shown that he is a nice horse - he has won his bumper and his hurdle races. I made the decision to go chasing this season rather than hurdling and thank God I did now.
 
"This is why we do it. It's a struggle in life anyway and this is what you come here for. We are at Cheltenham and Cheltenham is the best. To be here and have a winner is the best as well."
 
When it was pointed out that local man Bailey must surely relish training winners at Cheltenham, he quipped: "Absolutely - it means we can get home quicker for a drink."

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Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)
£70,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 44y, Class 1
20 ran
Going: Soft, Heavy in places

POS DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Imperial Aura 7 11-5 Kim Bailey David Bass 4/1JF
2 3¼ Galvin 6 11-4 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 4/1JF
3 9 Hold The Note 6 11-7 Mick Channon Jonathan Burke 10/1
4 ½ Whatmore 8 11-0 Henry Daly Tom O'Brien 14/1
5 ½ Beakstown 7 11-1 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 12/1
6 4¾ Mitchouka 6 11-1 Gearoid O'Loughlin Donal McInerney 33/1
7 3 Highest Sun 6 11-2 Colin Tizzard Robbie Power 33/1
8 shd Champagne Court 7 11-5 Jeremy Scott Nick Scholfield 18/1
9 1½ Daly Tiger 7 11-1 Noel Meade Sean Flanagan 40/1
10 2¾ Torpillo 5 11-6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Daryl Jacob 40/1
11 11 Earlofthecotswolds 6 11-1 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 16/1
12 3½ Paint The Dream 6 11-2 Fergal O'Brien Jack Tudor 66/1
13 29 Trainwreck 8 11-1 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 14/1
FELL Precious Cargo 7 11-7 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 14/1
FELL Jarveys Plate 7 11-5 Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan 20/1
PU De Plotting Shed 10 11-1 Suzi Best Tom Scudamore 50/1
PU Lord Schnitzel 7 11-1 Matthew J Smith B J Cooper 33/1
PU Champagne Mystery 6 11-5 Nicky Henderson Jeremiah McGrath 25/1
PU Espoir De Guye 6 11-6 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 8/1
UR Knight In Dubai 7 11-5 Dan Skelton Conor Shoemark 20/1
NR 13 Mellow Ben 7 11-2 Chris Gordon NON RUNNER

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Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase

Previous Results

Year Winner Age/Wt Jockey Trainer Owner SP Ran
2019 A Plus Tard 5-11-05 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead IRE Cheveley Park Stud 5/1F 20

2018-WINNER-MISTER WHITAKER 6-11-02 Owner-Tim Radford; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Brian Hughes; SP-13/2
2ND-Rather Be 7-11-08 Owner-Matt & Lauren Morgan; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Jeremiah McGrath; SP-12/1
3RD-Rocklander 9-11-07 Owner-D O’Donohue, J Cavanagh, S Nelson; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Adrian Heskin; SP-25/1
4TH-Barney Dwan 8-11-08 Owner-Paul & Clare Rooney; Trainer-Fergal O’Brien; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-15/2
19 ran, Time-5m 29.00s, Dist-hd, 3¼, 8

2017-WINNER-TULLY EAST 7-11-08 Owner-Barry Connell; Trainer-Alan Fleming IRE; Jockey-Denis O’Regan; SP-8/1
2ND-Gold Present 7-11-07 Owner-John & Barbara Cotton; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Jeremiah McGrath; SP-14/1
3RD-Two Taffs 7-11-07 Owner-Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter; Trainer-Dan Skelton; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-7/1
4TH-Powersbomb 7-11-08 Owner-Lordan, McMahon, Breslin, Slattery; Trainer-Brian McMahon IRE; Jockey-Mr Jamie Codd; SP-22/1
20 ran, Time-5m 11.00s, Dist-1¼, nk, 6 6/1 Fav Foxtail Hill (Fell)

2016-WINNER-BALLYALTON 9-11-10 Owner-John Westwood; Trainer-Ian Williams; Jockey-Brian Hughes; SP-12/1
2ND-Bouvreuil 5-11-08 Owner-Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-14/1
3RD-Double Shuffle 6-11-08 Owner-Crossed Fingers Partnership; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-8/1
4TH-Bridgets Pet 9-11-05 Owner-Barry Connell; Trainer-Alan Fleming IRE; Jockey-Shane Shortall; SP-33/1
20 ran, Time-5m 8.70s, Dist-½, 4½, 2½ 3/1 Fav Aloomomo (6th)

2015-WINNER-IRISH CAVALIER 6-11-07 Owner-Andrew McIver; Trainer-Rebecca Curtis; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-11/1
2ND-Thomas Crapper 8-11-04 Owner-apis.uk.com; Trainer-Robin Dickin; Jockey-Charlie Poste; SP-6/1 Fav
3RD-Generous Ransom 7-11-06 Owner-Sir Christopher & Lady Wates; Trainer-Nick Gifford; Jockey-Daryl Jacob; SP-8/1
4TH-Horizontal Speed 7-11-07 Owner-Favourites Racing Ltd; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-12/1
20 ran, Time-5m 6.70s, Dist-2½, ½, nk

2014-WINNER-PRESENT VIEW 6-11-07 Owner-Sir Chips Keswick; Trainer-Jamie Snowden; Jockey-Brendan Powell; SP-8/1
2ND-Attaglance 8-11-07 Owner-Mrs H Young, G Eifert, R Snyder; Trainer-Malcolm Jefferson; Jockey-Brian Hughes; SP-10/1
3RD-Pendra 6-11-07 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Charlie Longsdon; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-8/1
4TH-Ahyaknowyerself 8-11-05 Owner-G Carstairs & R Marker; Trainer-Dr Richard Newland; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-33/1
19 ran, Time- 5m 0.10s, Dist-½, 3, ½ 13/2 Jt Favs Art Of Logistics (13th) & Ericht (PU)

2013-WINNER-RAJDHANI EXPRESS 6-11-07 Owner-Robert Waley-Cohen; Trainer Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mr Sam Waley-Cohen;
SP-16/1
2ND-Ackertac 8-11-09 Owner- Mark Aspey & Steve Catton; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-66/1
3RD-Ohio Gold 7-11-06 Owner-P M Warren; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-16/1
4TH-Shangani 7-11-09 Owner-The Bellamy Partnership; Trainer-Venetia Williams; Jockey-Aidan Coleman; SP-6/1
20 ran, Time- 5m 16.00s, Dist-nk, 9, 1¾ 9/2 Fav Colour Squadron (5th)

2012-WINNER-HUNT BALL 7-12-00 Owner-Anthony Knott; Trainer-Keiran Burke; Jockey-Nick Scholfield; SP-13/2 Fav
2ND-White Star Line 8-11-07 Owner-Patsy Byrne; Trainer-Dessie Hughes IRE; Jockey-Bryan Cooper; SP-14/1
3RD-Owen Glendower 7-11-09 Owner-The Ten From Seven; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Andrew Tinkler; SP-33/1
4TH-Battle Group 7-11-10 Owner-Jolly Boys Outing; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-33/1
20 ran, Time-5m 5.90s, Dist-8, 2, 1

2011-WINNER-DIVERS 7-11-04 Owner-The DPRP Divers Partnership; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-7/1
2ND-Quantitativeeasing 6-11-11 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
3RD-Tullamore Dew 9-11-11 Owner-Give Every Man His Due; Trainer-Nick Gifford; Jockey-Liam Treadwell; SP-13/2
4TH-Vino Griego 6-11-05 Owner-C E Stedman; Trainer-Gary Moore; Jockey-Jamie Moore; SP-20/1
20 ran, Time 5m 7.50s, Dist 2¾, 2, 1¼ 3/1 Fav Definity (5th)

2010-WINNER-COPPER BLEU 8-11-01 Owner-Alan Peterson; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-12/1
2ND-Othermix 6-11-00 Owner-Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd; Trainer-Tom George; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-50/1
3RD-The Midnight Club 6-11-01 Owner-C C R Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-16/1
4TH-China Rock 7-11-03 Owner-Michael O’Flynn; Trainer-Mouse Morris IRE; Jockey-Niall Madden; SP-9/1 20 ran, Time-5m 12.50s, Dist-3½ , ½, 3¾ 6/1 Fav Rivaliste (7th)

2009-WINNER-CHAPOTURGEON 5-10-11 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Timmy Murphy; SP-8/1
2ND-Isn’t That Lucky 6-10-07 Owner-Valda Burke; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Richard McGrath; SP-11/1
3RD-Crescent Island 6-11-02 Owner-Sarah Bays Jill Scott Sarah MacEchern; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Paddy Brennan; SP-25/1
4TH-Northern Alliance 8-11-04 Owner-Irish Rover Syndicate; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP8/1 20 ran, Time-5m 16.44s, Dist-9, 2¼, 6 15/2 Fav Kia Kaha (10th)

2008-WINNER-FINGER ONTHE PULSE 7-10-12 Owner-Conor Clarkson; Trainer-Tom Taaffe IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/1
2ND-Barbers Shop 6-10-13 Owner-The Queen; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-12/1
3RD-Possol 5-10-06 Owner-Neville Statham; Trainer-Henry Daly; Jockey-Mark Bradburne; SP-25/1
4TH-Fleet Street 9-10-12 Owner-Henry Ponsonby; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Andrew Tinkler; SP-66/1 20 ran, Time-5m 10.2s, Dist-nk, 1½, nse

2007-WINNER-L’ANTARTIQUE 7-10-11 Owner-Mary Durkan; Trainer-Ferdy Murphy; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-20/1
2ND-Bob Hall 6-10-09 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Noel Fehily; SP-10/1
3RD-Wee Robbie 7-10-13 Owner-P H Betts (Holdings) Ltd; Trainer-Nick Gifford; Jockey-Leighton Aspell; SP-20/1
4TH-Rasharrow 8-10-10 Owner-Ashleybank Investments Limited; Trainer-Len Lungo; Jockey-Keith Mercer; SP-14/1
19 ran, Time-5m 10.70s, Dist-2, 2½, 4 7/2 Fav New Little Bric (7th)

2006-WINNER-REVEILLEZ 7-10-11 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-9/2 Fav
2ND-Copsale Lad 9-11-00 Owner-Swallow Partnership; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-8/1
3RD-Tumbling Dice 7-11-01 Owner-Mrs John Donegan; Trainer-Tom Taaffe IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-14/1
4TH-Direct Flight 8-10-04 Owner-Top Flight; Trainer-Noel Chance; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-25/1
18 ran, Time-5m 05.00s, Dist-1.25, 9, shd

2005-WINNER-KING HARALD 7-10-04 Owner-Piers Pottinger & PBJ Partnership; Trainer-Mark Bradstock; Jockey-Mattie Batchelor; SP-9/1
2ND-Lacdoudal 6-11-10 Owner-Carol Skan; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-12/1
3RD-See You Sometime 10-11-03 Owner-J A G Meaden; Trainer-Seamus Mullins; Jockey-Andrew Thornton; SP-12/1
4TH-Sir Oj 8-10-11 Owner-Brian Keenan; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-18/1
19 ran, Time-5m 12.20s, Dist-12, 8, 2 8/1 Fav Captain Corelli (PU)