Imperial Aura got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking in the Watch Racing UK On The Go Novices' Hurdle. Despite a few jumping errors, he fulfilled his bumper promise by winning here cosily, sporting some very famous colours. Smart prospect for Kim Bailey, and will be intriguing where he goes next. Promising.
Henry Daly's 6yo definitely looks a mare going places after making all in the Breeders Association Mares' Novices' Hurdle. She followed up her emphatic success at Bangor earlier this month with an easy win here, beating modest rivals. Triple point winner, she was in command from the get-go and was eased down winning in the end, by four lengths. Another winner for Richard Johnson, definitely one to keep an eye on.
Despite drifting like a barge beforehand, Mauricio landed the spoils in the toals.com Casino Conditional Jockey's Handicap Hurdle. He raced keenly in the early stages and stretched Charlie Hammond's hands. However once he settled, he made some headway and chased the leaders in the last quarter-of-a-mile, kept on and just did enough to win by a head. Sent off at odds of 5/1, he brushed aside his two near misses since winning on handicap debut, and won for trainer Dr Richard Newland and owner J A Provan.
