Imperial Rule seals poignant win in the silks of the late John Wade

The silks of the late John Wade were sported to a poignant victory when Imperial Rule landed the feature 2m3½f novice handicap chase under Ross Chapman.

Wade made a huge contribution to northern jump racing as an owner, trainer and sponsor and died last month at the age of 80.

Imperial Rule's trainer Rebecca Menzies moved into Wade's Howe Hills Stables a few miles from Sedgefield in 2016 and was thrilled to win a race advertising a black-tie dinner and ball in support of Graham Lee at York on Saturday and an accompanying online auction with a wide range of prizes.

Menzies said on Sky Sports Racing: "To keep training winners in John's colours is an absolute honour. John wanted winners and always wanted winners at Sedgefield, so he would have been delighted with this. We had a really fun-filled season planned out and hopefully we can continue to do him proud.

"To have a winner in a race with links to two massive people in my career means even more."

Perfect record

Warwickshire trainer Tom Ellis took his course record to 2-2 with the victory of Brave Jen in the 2m1f maiden hurdle.

Brave Jen, the mount of Jack Andrews, prevailed by a neck for a first win at the 14th attempt.

Progressive chaser

Bebside Banter gained a third course success over fences in just shy of a year when winning the 2m5f handicap chase.

The Chris Grant-trained seven-year-old has finished second on two of his other three chase starts and scored by two and a half lengths under Danny McMenamin.

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