Horse racing tips: Imperial Aviator can get back to winning ways at Newbury
MARK Ronson will play a DJ set for the Newbury crowds on Saturday night, but I’m more interested in Kieran Shoemark getting a tune out of IMPERIAL AVIATOR in the Dubai Duty Free handicap (2.50pm).
Roger Charlton’s son of Paco Boy got the better of Gordon Stakes winner Ulysses when losing his maiden tag at Leicester in April.
He then bolted up in the London Gold Cup here in May when beating Cartago by 4 ½ lengths, earning himself a shot at the French Derby.
However, he didn’t show his true form that day and subsequently finished well down the field.
It was a similar story when returning from a break to finish fifth of six in the Group Two Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes and it may be that those races have just been too hot for him.
He’s of much more interest now back in a handicap, especially with Shoemark taking off some valuable weight, so back him each-way with Betway at 10/1.
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Autocratic finished second in a Newmarket handicap last time out but the combination of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore means he’ll probably go off far too short.
The form of that race is also yet to be boosted and it may instead be Baydar who gives our selection most to think about as he looks for a fourth win on the spin.
Elsewhere on the card I’ll also be backing ALPHA DELPHINI who has already secured a hat-trick of wins at York, Ascot and Beverley this campaign.
Having won his three races by a head, a short head, and a neck, it’s safe to say Bryan Smart’s entry never wins by far. But he gets the job done and deserves a shot at this higher level.
POINTERS (Saturday)
Imperial Aviator e/w 2.50pm Newbury
Alpha Delphini e/w 3.20pm Newbury