Haydock preview: Betfair Chase (15.00)

David Metcalf | November 20, 2015

Silviniaco Conti looks a worthy red-hot favourite to land a third Betfair Chase at Haydock (15.00), and further enhance trainer Paul Nicholl’s superb record in the 3m Grade 1 contest.

The Ditcheat handler has won the race a record six times, with the brilliant Kauto Star notching four of those success.

In Silviniaco Conti he has a chaser of the highest order, who won the race in 2012 and 2014, and comes into this year’s renewal on the back of a highly promising reappearance when runner-up over hurdles at Kempton.

Conti can continue Nicholls’ strong race record

The nine-year-old raced with plenty of zest at the head of affairs until getting headed and outpaced two from home.

Silviniaco Conti then rallied strongly in the closing stages to go down by four lengths to Brother Tedd, and it was an effort which should have blown away the cobwebs and put him spot on for this.

Nicholls reports that he has thrived since that run, and the testing underfoot conditions will certainly be in Silviniaco Conti’s favour.

The gelding is an out-and-out stayer who is ideally suited by a flat galloping track, and I can see him being ridden prominently and grinding his four rivals into submission.

Cue Card could cause problems