Cheltenham Festival day one review: Rest of the action including The Conditional winning the Ultima Handicap Chase

Conditional an Ultima warrior for Bridgewater

David Bridgewater's The Conditional (15/2) took the Ultima Handicap Chase under trainer Brendan Powell, narrowly holding on from 10/1 chance Kildisart.

Discorama - sent off the 11/2 joint-favourite - ran on strongly to claim third, while top weight and fellow market leader Vinndication finished fourth ahead of 20/1 shot Big River in a bunched finish for the places.

The winner was travelling sweetly throughout the gruelling three mile, one furlong contest but looked to have cost himself all chance of victory when making a mistake and pecking slightly two-out.

However, Powell got the eight-year-old back on an even keel and he had too much up his sleeve for the runner-up, who went down by a neck under Daryl Jacob.

Eased 3lb in the weights for his fourth behind Kimberlite Candy in Warwick's Classic Chase in January - form that had already worked out well with Warwick second Captain Chaos winning at Doncaster subsequently - The Conditional took full advantage in conditions he clearly relished.

Showcase Meeting winner The Conditional was the second victor on day to have scored at Prestbury Park earlier in the season, following on from Put The Kettle On in the Racing Post Arkle, who backed up her November Meeting triumph.

The winning trainer was full of praise for Powell.

"What a great jockey - I thought we were stuffed (after the mistake)," said Bridgwater.

"He's a brilliant jockey - he's given that a peach (of a ride). I was confident last night - this is unbelievable. I'm very emotional."

Imperial rules in Northern Trust

Imperial Aura justified strong market support to win the Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase for Kim Bailey and David Bass.

Second twice at Cheltenham already this season, he was sent off the 4/1 joint-favourite and stayed on powerfully up the hill.

For the second time in the afternoon Davy Russell turned into the straight with a double handful - this time on Galvin - but once more he had to settle for second best on the other market leader.

Imperial Aura relished the climb to the line, pulling three and a quarter lengths clear. Hold The Note was third.

Bailey - who 25 years ago landed the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double with Alderbrook and Master Oats - said: "It's a huge relief as the anticipation has been quite high. He's owned by a big syndicate and it's great for them - they've been very excited.

"Today has been the goal all season and it's come off. We've felt all along this was his race.

"We had to run here last time, even though we knew he wasn't 100 per cent right. We knew he was going to improve hugely ahead of today and he's gone and done it.

"I hope he'll go on to be a graded horse. He is only a baby still and he jumps very well. It was a bold decision to go over fences when he had a very good hurdle career ahead of him, but he's a chaser not a hurdler."

Ravenhill swoops in NH Chase

Jamie Codd saluted the crowd after claiming a third win in the National Hunt Chase aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Ravenhill.

Previously successful in the race aboard Cause Of Causes (2015) and Le Breuil (2019), Codd rode a waiting race on this occasion before allowing his mount to join the pacesetting Lord Du Mesnil for the lead.

There was little to choose between the pair jumping the final obstacle, but 12/1 shot Ravenhill had that bit more in the locker and was well on top at the finish, scoring by a shade over two lengths.

Elliott said: "It's brilliant - Jamie gave him a great ride. I was worried about him staying, so we said we'd hunt away. I'm very lucky to have Jamie riding for me - he's a star.

"He travelled brilliantly and I'm absolutely thrilled to have a winner after hitting the crossbar a couple of times. He'll go straight to the Irish Grand National now."

Red-hot favourite Carefully Selected never threatened to land a telling blow and was booked for minor honours at best when parting company with Patrick Mullins at the final fence.

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