Aura is not Imperious

KIM BAILEY warned Imperial Aura is “not a superstar” yet as the eight-year-old faces three rivals in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton tomorrow.

David Bass’s mount (above) is a 5-1 shot for Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase on March 18 after adding victories at Carlisle and Ascot to his triumph in the Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase at last year’s jumps Festival.

But Bailey warned yesterday: “He’s not a superstar yet. He’s a progressive horse, but he’s still a baby. He’s made great strides quickly, and the nightmare for a trainer is that people have already extended the curve to where he could be.

“The manner of his victory at Ascot was impressive, and his jumping was electric, but it’s not hard to pick holes in the form.

“He’s got to take another step up the ladder on Saturday in order to justify being one of the favourites for the Ryanair Chase.”