Talking Horses: Imperial Aura can enhance Ryanair credentials

Kim Bailey’s charge picked up where he left off when victorious at Carlisle on his seasonal reappearance at the start of November

Imperial Aura and David Bass win for trainer Kim Bailey in the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (Grade 2) in November. Picture: Healy Racing.

If Imperial Aura is to justify his ante-post position as the biggest threat to reigning champion Min in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival he needs to make short work of his three rivals in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton today.

Lightly raced in the early part of his career, the eight-year-old showed the benefits that can be accrued from such patience when winning the now-defunct Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival on his final start last season.