Aviator one of 17 lining up in French Derby

Imperial Aviator has become one of 17 colts who will line up in Sunday's Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club.

Trainer Roger Charlton supplemented the colt (pictured below when winning at Newbury last month) this morning when he became one of two late entrants to the race, the other being the Gianluca Bietolini-trained Dicton, who was third in the recent Gr.1 Poule d'Essai Des Poulains behind The Gurkha. Foundation, the John Gosden-trained favourite for the race, plus Imperial Aviator, Robin Of Navan and Ventura Storm, form a four-strong group of contenders trained in Britain.

Charlton was given the go-ahead to pay the €72,000 (£52,900) late-entry fee by the colt's owners, Qatar Racing, Daniel Hunt and Eileen Markham. Oisin Murphy, who won on Imperial Aviator at Newbury, will again be in the saddle.

Yesterday, David Redvers, racing manager to Qatar Racing, said: ‚"We're praying for a decent draw, but the turn of foot he showed when winning last time out suggests he is a very good horse. If Ulysses were to win the Derby on Saturday we would look rather stupid had we not entered the French Derby.‚"

Redvers' reference to Ulysses who is fourth favourite for Epsom's big race relates to Imperial Aviator's victory over that colt at Leicester in April.

Charlton said: ‚"Newbury lit the interest in progressing to a Group race, and immediately after that the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot looked the logical choice. However, the horse's owners wondered whether we should be running in the Derby, particularly as Ulysses seemed to be going there with a chance.

‚"I was concerned the undulations of Epsom would not suit Imperial Aviator, and when we worked him over a ten-furlongs undulating gallop at home that confirmed my view. So we turned out attention to France the French three-year-olds do not look the strongest, and one of their best [Cloth Of Stars] is running at Epsom.

‚"We have to pay the supplementary fee, butthe prize money is very good, and if we finish fifth or better we cover the fee.

‚"At present the ground [at Chantilly] is particularly heavy and at best will be very soft on Sunday. That's an unknown dimension for many of the runners, and while the same applies to us, I would prefer juice in the ground there was no guarantee of getting that at Royal Ascot.‚"

The Prix du Jockey-Club will always have a place in Charlton's heart, although Imperial Aviator will be only his second runner in the race. In 1990, a few months after gaining a trainer's licence, he won it with Sanglamore. Three days later he won the Derby with Quest For Fame, an astonishing start to a career in its infancy.

Photo of Imperial Aviator: Laurence Squire