Silviniaco and Zig please trainer in Chepstow workout

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls decided to give four of his stable big guns a pre-racing gallop at Chepstow on Tuesday, with Silviniaco Conti and Ptit Zig pleasing as part of their build-up to major assignments next month.

Silviniaco Conti was put through his paces over a circuit of the course, with assistant trainer Harry Derham in the saddle, alongside Ptit Zig, partnered by pupil assistant trainer Andrew Doyle, while that pair were followed by Aux Ptits Soins (Nick Scholfield) and Zubayr (Harry Cobden).

Nicholls could barely hide his enthusiasm over the way Silviniaco Conti worked, saying: “We never had him right last year even though he won easily at Ascot, but I hope he's back to his old self this time around. He's been working well at home and certainly looked to be enjoying himself there.

“The plan is to go to Down Royal a week on Saturday for the JNwine.com Champion Chase over three miles, which should suit him. It's a race we've targeted in the past.

"Ptit Zig will head to Auteuil on the same day so it will be a busy day for the yard. He's won at the course twice so there's no problem with that, and he gave his owners a day to remember when landing the Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil last June."

Explaining why he had brought the four to gallop at the course, Nicholls said: “It’s just a nice day out for them as the ground at many places is quick and it’s on the slower side here. It makes sense as it breaks up the routine nicely.”