Grade Silviniaco Conti Chase Guide 2022

Kempton - January 15 2022
Kempton 14:05
2
James Bowen

Mister Fisher

J: James Bowen
T: Nicky Henderson
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-6
OR: 160
Days: 20

A race that slightly lacks the quality of previous years, arguably is a field of four horses that have a point to prove by winning this.

The Nicky Henderson trained Mister Fisher has always been highly regarded by his trainer, who ran in the King George last time out, so that shows what Nicky Henderson thinks of him, especially putting him in the race after such a long layoff.

That was a poor run, pulling up before three out, but that was his first run back since an operation and his first time over the trip of 3 miles.

He steps back down to 2m4f today, which is the sort of trip he has won at in the past, including the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase which was ran at Cheltenham (Race was moved there due to postponement at original venue) He has some decent form figures at this sort of trip although a mixed bag with two pulled up runs in there also.

Chances will be taken with him and he does look a difficult horse to train, but he is in the best hands and certainly is the class act in this race judging by his previous form, should that operation he had over the summer did not leave a mark on him.

Winner of three races over this sort of trip, needed the last run to freshen him up after a long layoff, highest rated in the field and certainly is the one to beat on previous form, should he reach that level again.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/12/22KEM16Sft11-8PU
04/12/22HUN20Gd11-104
12/11/22CHL20Gd12-0F
23/04/22SAN23Gd11-62
08/04/22AIN20GS11-7PU
Kempton - January 15 2022
Kempton 14:05
1
Brendan Powell

Eldorado Allen

J: Brendan Powell
T: Colin Tizzard
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-6
OR: 155
Days: 41

A talented horse on his day, who is already a Grade 2 winner this season winning the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November last year, beating the Tingle Creek winner (Greaneteen) and runner up (Hitman).

That was a superb run considering it was his first start in just over 7 months, but he does look to go well when fresh, so that could have contributed to the reason why he beat the two fancied horses in the Haldon Gold Cup who will likely improve over him as the season goes on.

He ran a nice race in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last time out, only beaten by just over 6 lengths by two decent horses.

He was a Grade 2 winner over fences in November 2020 at Cheltenham, which is good form in behind, but he looks to save his best runs for the early stages of the season (October and November are the only times he has won in his career) Which is a slight concern, but this small field will suit, and he could land his second graded race of the season in these slightly calmer waters.

Grade 2 winner this season, with Tingle Creek winner and second place in behind, but does look to run best in the early stages of the season, Like the rest of the field chances will be taken if backing him but he does have the talent to win this.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/04/23AIN25GS12-05
17/03/23CHL26.5Sft11-107
11/02/23NBY23.5Gd11-85
26/12/22KEM24Sft11-104
19/11/22HAY25.5Sft11-102
Kempton - January 15 2022
Kempton 14:05
4
Harry Cobden

Rouge Vif

J: Harry Cobden
T: Paul Nicholls
N/A
Age: 8
Weight: 11-0
OR: 156
Days: 62

A horse that is very hard to gauge looking at his form, who hasn’t run since November last year where he was last of four in the Shloer Chase over 2 miles at Cheltenham.

He tackles this sort of trip for the first time in his career but was a Grade 2 winner previously at Kelso over 2m2f for former trainer Harry Whittington (Now he is with Paul Nicholls) and it has always been said by connections he will come on good for the step up in trip, but there is always a slight chance to take in a small field at the first time of running in this trip.

But his trainer does love this race and did run Frodon in it two years ago before he went on to win a King George, so the trainer will have a plan outlined for this horse going forward who could go onto bigger and better things should he win this.

Last of four in his only run this season, which was over 2 months ago, runs at this sort of trip for the first time but is a Graded winner at 2m2f, certainly one to consider with the champion trainer.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
18/03/23KEM20.5Sft11-1PU
27/01/23DON16.5Gd11-96
09/12/22CHL17Gd11-129
08/11/22HUN16Gd12-05
04/05/22NAB21Gd12-0F
Kempton - January 15 2022
Kempton 14:05
3
Tom O'Brien

Defi Du Seuil

J:
 
Tom O'Brien
T:
 
Philip Hobbs
Age: 9
Weight: 11-0
OR: 158
Days: 56

In 2019 this horse had the whole world at his feet, looking like a top-class champion chase horse in the making for the Hobbs team, winning three in a row including the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase, having a great battle with the fantastic Un De Sceaux in both of the Grade 1 centrepieces.

Plus, not to mention the 7 Grade 1’s already to his name and we forget he is only an 8yo so could easily bounce back to form and win more top races going forward.

That is what he needs to do in this though, bounce back to form after a disappointing season last time, only racing twice and completing once with a remote 5th in the Clearance House at Ascot in January.

He had a run in a Grade 2 at Ascot in November where he finished 4th, but was well beaten and was eased down coming down the straight, so his spark wasn’t shown in that race, but that run may have blown the cobwebs away and he could come on for the run.

The signs are a positive at home again with trainer Philip Hobbs hoping he can get back to his best with his next few runs, and if he does then he could be hard to stop at a trip that does suit (Although he looked a 2m chaser at his best) As well as the conditions that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Had his troubles last season but has a lot of talent and should he bounce back then he will be hard to beat, chances will be taken however he is showing good signs at home according to the trainer.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/01/22KEM20.5Sft11-04
20/11/21ASC21Gd11-24
23/01/21ASC17Sft11-75
15/11/20CHL16Sft11-6PU
11/03/20CHL16Sft11-104

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing