Silviniaco Conti 11/2 for Gold Cup

Silviniaco Conti won his third race of the season at Newbury on Saturday, registering his highest Racing Post Rating in the process. Paul Nicholls’ 7-year-old still appears to be improving, his last four RPRs are: 166-168-173-175.

Bookmakers reacted by shaving a couple of points off his price for the Gold Cup, with 11/2 (Paddy Power) the best price available. Those looking for a chink in his armour could point to the fact his wins have come on flat tracks, but he travels to Cheltenham with his reputation enhanced.

Last year’s Gold Cup runner-up, The Giant Bolster, finished second at Newbury and is 20/1 (Betfred) to go one better in March. Connections expect him to improve on better ground and he enjoys the undulations of Cheltenham, with a good record at the track.

The Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown saw Flemenstar defeated for the second race in succession and his participation in Cheltenham’s Gold Cup looks increasingly doubtful, with most bookmakers removing him from the betting. The Champion Chase has been mooted as his most likely target, where he is 5/1 (Bet365) in the betting. From an antepost perspective, it is perhaps worth holding fire until the Festival.

Sir Des Champs put in an improved round of jumping to win the Hennessy and remains 5/1 (Ladbrokes) for the Gold Cup. The worry is that his performances have plateaued. His RPR of 169 was only 1lbs better than when winning the Jewson Novices’ last season and he is yet to break into the 170s.