Grade Two Silviniaco Conti Chase Guide 2023

One of two for trainer Paul Nicholls and Pic D’Orhy looks the classiest of the pair. He won a few races over hurdles and then a few over fences too so will look to continue that here which would make it 3-3. He is a three time Grade 2 winner and this looks a perfect opportunity for him to notch up what would be a fourth success at this level.

I saw this horse live at Ascot in 2021 where he beat Faivoir by 9 lengths. He jumped really well that day and is a slick jumper overall so could be the one they all have to beat here.

Cobden and Nicholls had a four timer at Taunton the other day so the duo are in red hot form.

This will be his 20th run over fences as Paint The Dream is now 9 years of age. He has had plenty of experience and found himself being an easy winner last time out in a Class 2 event at Newbury where he beat The Widdow Maker by a whopping 14 lengths.

That win came on good ground, but he has won on soft before so that should not be an issue. Has not disgraced himself when stepping up in grade in the past so will be a big threat to all here if running his best race.

Very much one to be interested in.

Paul Nicholls’ second runner in the race and Mr David Maxwell takes the ride on the now 10 year old Saint Calvados. Prior to having a 210 day break, he won the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown last year beating the Nicky Henderson trained Mister Fisher by 16 lengths.

After that layoff, he returned to action at Ascot in the Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma Chase where he only faced one other rival and that was Coole Cody who he faces again here.

He got turned over as the 2/7 favourite under a pretty unconvincing ride so a change in tactics would see him in better light and may then have a strong chance of reversing form with that horse.

Not totally out of things.

Racing fans may remember Angels Breath when this grey was trained by Nicky Henderson a few years ago, but it has been so long since he has been seen after recovering from a serious injury.

The 9 year old is now trained by Sam Thomas and looks set to make his reappearance after a quite ridiculous 1121 days off the track.

It will be brilliant to see him back after so long and we hope he is ready to go and run over 2m5f. When he was last seen in 2019, he won a Grade 2 at Ascot beating just one other rival, but he did show a lot of potential in his younger days.

Remains an unknown on how exactly he will perform here, but many may back him from a sentimental point of view.

Clondaw Castle is another coming back from a lengthy absence, 420 days to be exact so he looks set to struggle due to having no race fitness on his side.

He was a distant second in the 2021 renewal of this race before winning a 17 runner handicap chase at this course, but that was over 3 miles.

He disappointed when stepping up to Grade 1 and 2 company and will be one of the outsiders in this so can be ignored for trainer Tom George.

Coole Cody is the oldest horse in the race as he is now 12 years of age, but that has not stopped him in recent runs. He loves it around Cheltenham so Kempton will be a different challenge for him which may see him struggle. He always runs his race and is a legend of a horse, he certainly has been for connections.

He beat a rival he faces again here in Saint Calvados last time out in what was only a two runner contest and will find it hard to confirm that form this time round.

Has an entry for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but can be dismissed in a race such as this especially around Kempton.