made all, drew clear halfway, left alone 4 out, only finisher
tracked leader, jumped left 1st, blundered and unseated rider next
tracked leaders, jumped right and slowly throughout, hampered 1st, left in 2nd next, lost touch after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
IMPERIAL AURA need only complete on his chasing debut to land this. He’s in a different league to today’s opposition over hurdles having won a couple of novice events last season and placed in a Grade 3 at Chepstow on his return. His half-brother Pawn Star has won four of seven outings over fences and Kim Bailey’s charge is impossible to oppose. Parsonal looks next best with improvement a possibility on his second start after wind surgery but point-to-point winner Positive Touch has shown nothing over hurdles so far.
Imperial Aura (IRE) 5-1fav (10-8) Chased leaders, 2nd after 4 out, led and flattened 2 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Flash The Steel (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Oct.
Parsonal (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) In touch, mistake 2nd, lost place before 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Positive Touch (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) In tch to 13; pu aft 15, at Llanfrynach 3m gd in Mar.
