'He's got to be the one to beat - the betting has got it right'

Saturday: 2.05 Kempton
Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

As I scan the field for the Silviniaco Conti, one question keeps coming to mind: what on earth are you doing here?

That is no slight on the quality of the runners, of whom four have won at this Grade 2 level and the other two have won Grade 3s. It is more to do with their strong associations with other tracks or, in the case of Angels Breath, other decades. He last ran in 2019.

Paint The Dream is the horse in training who you would most readily associate with Newbury. It is no exaggeration, in fact it would agree with Racing Post Ratings, to say that he is half a stone better there than anywhere else. Similarly, Coole Cody has run in 16 races since October 2020 and 14 of them have been at Cheltenham, where he has won just about all of the major handicap chases around 2m4f.

At least Coole Cody showed his best elsewhere recently, when winning a match against the reopposing Saint Calvados at Ascot in November. For his part, Saint Calvados has run at Kempton only twice, both times in the King George. While he has seemed ill at ease on the track, it is notable that he has twice hit the frame here in one of National Hunt's grandstand races.

The other two are genuine Kempton horses. Clondaw Castle ruled Kempton in early-2021, finishing second in this race and seven weeks later winning the track's major 3m handicap chase.

Pic D'Orhy's course record is sparse but perfect. He beat Millers Bank in the Pendil 11 months ago, before the runner-up took a Grade 1 at Aintree on his next start. As a speedy sort and bold jumper who is particularly effective away from the mud, Pic D'Orhy is expected to keep showing his best at Kempton. While he might not stand out on ability against this field, given his supposed affinity for the track it is understandable that he is favourite.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Pic D'Orhy (right) won the Pendil Novices' Chase on his only previous visit to KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

'He won the Peterborough as he liked last time'

Few have tried and none has succeeded. Pic D'Orhy is out to make a bit of history in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase.

Just two horses have won the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon, Britain's traditional pre-Christmas test for two-and-a-half-mile chasers, and then attempted to follow up in this race next time out.

Charbel finished third in 2019 and so did Top Notch a year later, when sent off favourite for a race he had landed previously.

Pic D'Orhy is likely to top the betting this time, having won well at Huntingdon last month, and that is his correct position, according to rider Harry Cobden.

"He's got to be the one to beat," the jockey said. "I think the betting has got it right.

"He won the Peterborough as he liked last time out and he beat a sensible field there. I know he's not the highest-rated horse in the world but I think he's still improving. He's just turned eight now and he's got a bit of scope to improve."

What they say

Evan Williams, trainer of Coole Cody
We're trying to win some prize-money without him having to carry big weights in handicaps. He ran well at Kempton as a novice chaser and the opposition will be our concern, not the track.

David Maxwell, rider of Saint Calvados
This race should suit him much better than last time – he'll be able to get cover. He's in great form and likes the track so should run well.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Paint The Dream
He's in good form and I'm looking forward to it. The Nicholls horse [Pic D'Orhy] looks the one to beat but I hope he'll handle a flat, right-handed track and he needs a run before going back to Newbury next time.

Sam Thomas, trainer of Angels Breath
We're very lucky to have him. It's his first run back for a very long time so we just want him to come back safe and sound.

Tom George, trainer of Clondaw Castle
He's coming back from injury and is in good form. He's had no respite from he handicapper and we thought this was a good starting point.
Reporting by David Carr

Read Saturday's previews:

2.12 Fairyhouse: 'I think he has a big chance in a competitive race' - quotes for the Dan Moore

2.25 Warwick: course-and-distance winner Ginny's Destiny looks 'the perfect type'

2.40 Kempton: 'He's been aimed at this race all season' - Lanzarote Hurdle quotes and insight

3.00 Warwick: 'We're not sending him over for fresh air' - quotes for the Classic Chase

3.35 Warwick: who brings 'one of the more desirable profiles' to this Pertemps qualifier?

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