Pilot can fly high in Earl Of Sefton Stakes

David Metcalf | April 13, 2016

Air Pilot ready for take-off in Earl Of Sefton

Air Pilot has some top class form to his name and with underfoot conditions to suit can make a winning return to action in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket (16.30).

The Ralph Beckett trained gelding is lightly-raced for a seven-year-old and has won four of his 11 starts and finished in the frame on five occasions.

In the last of those successes at the Curragh on soft ground 10 months ago, Air Pilot made all and ran on gamely to beat Parish Hall by 1 1/4 lengths in a Group 3 contest.

The son of Zamindar backed that up with a solid 3/4 length third in a Group 2 at Longchamp, before rounding off the campaign with a career-best effort to finish fifth of 13 to Fascinating Rock in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Nothing to fear from Tullius

Air Pilot stayed on to be beaten 3 1/2 lengths in the latter, and has nothing to fear from Tullius who finished two lengths behind him in seventh and re-opposes in this.

That is very strong form, and a repeat of that effort is going to make Air Pilot very hard to beat now eased in grade.

Other pluses are that Air Pilot also won’t mind the cut in the ground, has an excellent record fresh, and the services of top jockey Fran Berry in the saddle.