Silviniaco Conti: top chaser impressed in the King George
PICTURE: Getty Images
Silviniaco Conti ‘never been in better form’
TWICE Silviniaco Conti has lined up for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and twice he has been beaten, but part-owner Chris Giles has high hopes the ace chaser can make it third-time lucky next week.
The Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old is the 3-1 favourite for the Gold Cup after impressive wins in the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase this term.
However, many have questioned if Cheltenham suits him. He fell when going well in Bobs Worth’s Gold Cup in 2013 and looked a likely winner 12 months ago only to wander when in front and finish fourth.
Giles, who owns Silvinicao Conti with Jared Sullivan’s Potensis Bloodstock Ltd, said in an interview in Monday’s Racing Post: “We still haven’t worked out – and I don’t think anybody really knows – whether he is a horse for Cheltenham.
“But if he is to win a Gold Cup, this is his year. He has never been in better form.”
Cheltenham FRIDAY, 13 MARCH 2015
BETFRED CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP CHASE GRADE 1 (CLASS 1) (5yo+)
NO. | HORSE | AGE | WGT | TRAINER RTF% | JOCKEY | OR | TS | RPR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | F-2173 | Ballycasey27 | 8 | 11-10 | W P Mullins | — | 135 | 160 | |
2 | 615-8 | Bobs Worth75 | 10 | 11-10 | Nicky Henderson | 166 | 142 | 171 | |
3 | 13244 | Boston Bob33 | 10 | 11-10 | W P Mullins | — | 145 | 169 | |
4 | U6-151 | Carlingford Lough33 | 9 | 11-10 | John E Kiely | — | 138 | 173 | |
5 | 614F1 | Champagne Fever27 | 8 | 11-10 | W P Mullins | — | 146 | 171 | |
6 | 13/111 | Coneygree34 | 8 | 11-10 | Mark Bradstock | 153 | 156 | 173 | |
7 | 11F-81 | Djakadam50 | 6 | 11-10 | W P Mullins | — | 151 | 164 | |
8 | 41111 | Don Cossack57 | 8 | 11-10 | Gordon Elliott | — | 149 | 173 | |
9 | 4-2468 | First Lieutenant33 | 10 | 11-10 | M F Morris | — | 142 | 169 | |
10 | 11-3U1 | Holywell29 | 8 | 11-10 | Jonjo O´Neill | 163 | 147 | 174 | |
11 | 7P-1F7 | Home Farm33 | 8 | 11-10 | Henry De Bromhead | — | 99 | 157 | |
12 | 6U-222 | Houblon Des Obeaux34 | 8 | 11-10 | Venetia Williams | 162 | 153 | 172 | |
13 | 61-373 | Lord Windermere33 | 9 | 11-10 | J H Culloty | — | 148 | 174 | |
14 | B4-111 | Many Clouds48 | 8 | 11-10 | Oliver Sherwood | 161 | 149 | 173 | |
15 | 2-8626 | On His Own33 | 11 | 11-10 | W P Mullins | — | 147 | 174 | |
16 | F58P14 | River Choice20 | 12 | 11-10 | R Chotard | — | — | 144 | |
17 | 21211 | Road To Riches75 | 8 | 11-10 | Noel Meade | — | 153 | 176 | |
18 | 5P-113 | Sam Winner75 | 8 | 11-10 | Paul Nicholls | 162 | 138 | 172 | |
19 | 41-511 | Silviniaco Conti77 | 9 | 11-10 | Paul Nicholls | 174 | 152 | 182 | |
20 | 112-52 | Smad Place48 | 8 | 11-10 | Alan King | 153 | 138 | 164 | |
21 | 015-44 | Spring Heeled20 | 8 | 11-10 | J H Culloty | — | 137 | 155 | |
22 | 13-754 | The Giant Bolster48 | 10 | 11-10 | David Bridgwater | 164 | 146 | 174 | |
23 | 32-164 | Theatre Guide27 | 8 | 11-10 | Colin Tizzard | - | 150 | 143 | 159 |
24 | 21-532 | Ma Filleule27 | 7 | 11-3 | Nicky Henderson | 159 | 163 | 175 | |