'Awesome' Imperial Aura excites Kim Bailey ahead of Cheltenham prep run
Kim Bailey is hoping Imperial Aura can build on an "awesome" performance at Ascot in November and cement his Cheltenham Festival claims in Saturday's Grade 2 Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase.
Already a winner at Cheltenham in March, Imperial Aura was among 50 entries revealed on Thursday for the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase, which remains his most likely festival target, although Bailey and owners the Imperial Racing Partnership have covered all bases with a berth in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup too.
A best-priced 7-1 second favourite with SkyBet and Betfred for the Ryanair and a 40-1 shot with Betfair Sportsbook for the Gold Cup, Imperial Aura has given Bailey no cause for concern since his career-best success in the 1965 Chase at Ascot and is set to face Master Tommytucker, Riders Onthe Storm and Clondaw Castle over 2m4½f at Kempton on Saturday.
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