Aintree Tips: Silviniaco Conti

Twelve months ago Silviniaco Conti arrived at Aintree with a reputation dented by defeat in the Gold Cup. He then won the Betfred Bowl at generous odds and history is about to repeat itself.

Silviniaco Conti was well beaten in the Gold Cup last month, perhaps his most disappointing performance to date but he was exposes as a doubtful stayer.

The term ‘doubtful stayer’ is bandied about freely and needs clearing up. Horses can get any sort of trip if the pace is steady, but a strongly run race is true test of stamina – and that is what happened in the Gold Cup.

Coneygree set a demanding gallop from the outset as proven by the sectional analysis undertaken by Simon Rowlands at Timeform. Understandably Noel Fehily tried to track the pace but it sent Silvinaco Conti into crisis.

We’ve seen it before, on a stiff track like Cheltenham he can be found out by a searing gallop.

Look through his form and Silvinaco Conti has been at his best when dictating on a sharp, flat track (Kempton / Aintree) or on soft ground, which slows down the pace (Haydock / Newbury).

I wouldn’t be too down on the 9-year-old. He is a multiple Grade 1 winner but the exacting circumstance of the Gold Cup just aren’t in his favour.

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