Three of the last five contested Graded novice chase last time

12 of the past 13 had run three or four times over fences

15 of the 16 had won no more than twice over fences

13 of the 16 won or finished second last time out

Four of the last eight contested the January course Timeform Nov Handicap Chase

12 of the 16 were aged six or seven years. Five year olds 2-13 in the past 12.

All 16 ran after the turn of the year

In the 16 races horses with 13+ chase runs were 0-129.

This is a Grade 2 Open Handicap. Matt Tombs tells me that the handicap may be limited to 20lbs. If top weight is 11-12, bottom weight will be 10-6.

The picture is of Imperial Aura in 2020. Above are stats taken from that year, this was the last time they ran the Centenary Nov H'cap Ch at Cheltenham. It was then pushed out to make way for the Mares Chase, a decision about which many still disagree. There were 16 runnings at Cheltenham before it was shipped out to Sandown. From 2020 to 2024 it was run on Imperial Cup day the race after that Mares Bumper. Usually £25k plus to the winner and Listed status but has attracted small fields. I doubt if those last four renewals will have any relevance to this. The prize fund for this is now £125k. It's now back at the Festival to try and force top graded runners to run in either the Arkle or the Brown Advisory. We will see. I feel it more likely that these will go to Aintree or Fairyhouse. For example Ballyburn, Impair Et Passe, Ile Atlantique and Gidleigh Park. Hope I'm wrong. Would be surprised to see any of them here. The one certainty about novice handicap hurdles or chases in that the best novices rarely run in them. This is now an open novice limited handicap with no ceiling for top rated.