'Rest easy, Kalif' - Paul Nicholls 'devastated' as Kalif Du Berlais suffers fatal injury in Silviniaco Conti Chase

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Stalwart chaser Edwardstone ended nearly two years without a win by landing the Grade 2 Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton, but his success was overshadowed by a fatal injury to Kalif Du Berlais.

The 8-11 favourite, trained by Paul Nicholls and part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, unseated Harry Cobden at the ninth fence when in the lead and suffered a broken shoulder.

Kalif Du Berlais was a Grade 1 winner as a novice and had been described as "in terms of potential, right up with the best two-mile chasers I have trained" earlier this season by Nicholls, who had added: "The sky’s the limit for him."

He had suffered a heavy defeat in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November and was bidding to get back on track here.

Nicholls said: "It's a sad day when you lose horses like that and it's quite hard on the whole team. It's a big kick in the teeth for everybody. You hate seeing that sort of thing happen. Sadly he'll never be able to show the potential we thought he had.

"Harry was extremely upset and he's not riding in the last. He's a big, bold horse who attacks his fences. He was enthusiastic today and travelling beautifully. These things happen, sadly, and you have to try to pick yourself up and move forward. The poor girl who looked after him, Sasha, is really upset, as you can imagine."

NIcholls later posted a further tribute on social media, saying he was "devastated" by the loss of Kalif Du Berlais and that "racing can be unbearably hard at times."

He added: "He was a beautiful horse who had already brought so much joy to his owners and our team, crowned by a brilliant victory at Aintree last year. He showed such immense talent and promise, with a bright future ahead of him and we were lucky to train him in Ditcheat. 

"Our deepest condolences go to his owners, Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson, the Hales family, Paul Hogarth and Peter Done and our team who cared for him at home.

"Rest easy, Kalif."

'Special' Edwardstone wins again aged 12

Edwardstone has been a fine servant for trainer Alan King, winning three Grade 1 races, notably the Arkle Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in 2022. This was the 11th win of his career, ending a ten-race losing run.

Paying a warm tribute to the 12-year-old, jockey Tom Cannon said: "He's been the best horse I've ever ridden. He's won some big races for me and means a lot to me. My little boy watching at home has got Edwardstone colours that he rides his pony in – that's how much he means to all of us. There's plenty of people who ride their whole careers and don't have a horse like him to ride.

Edwardstone: stayed on best to win the Silviniaco Conti ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I've been sent coffee mugs and placemats with his name on it, and people recognise his colours. He really is a household name after his battles with Jonbon in the past. For everything he's done for my career he holds a special place with us. 

"He won well. Obviously there's a tinge of sadness, and condolences to connections of Kalif Du Berlais, but it was a proper race after that. We got racing a long way out and he did it well. I'm delighted."

Asked whether this might be a good note on which to retire Edwardstone, Cannon said: "Whether or not we see him again, I'll leave it up to Kingy and the owners."

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