As anyone who suffers from
triskaidekaphobia will be all too well aware, the final day of this
year’s Cheltenham Festival falls on Friday the 13th,
also known as Black Friday. In keeping with the luckless theme, we’ve
decided, for once, to highlight a horse at short odds that we think
is one to oppose.
Silviniaco Conti has won all
three of the other Grade 1 staying chases run in Britain – the
Betfair Chase (twice), the King George VI Chase (twice) and the
Betfred Bowl Chase – but has failed on both attempts in the
Cheltenham Gold Cup.
To be fair, Paul Nicholls’ now
9-year-old was a close third, and travelling well, when falling at
the third last in 2013 and was only beaten 1¾ lengths into fourth
place last year, despite wandering on the run-in. The Dom Alco
gelding officially has 6lb and upwards in hand of his rivals, which
accounts for his market position, but the fact remains that all three
attempts at Cheltenham have ended in defeat.
He once again faces Lord Windermere, On
His Own and The Giant Bolster, who filled the first three places last
year, and Bobs Worth, who finished fifth, plus a whole raft of
plausible alternatives, so his task is no easier this time around.
Coneygree, Djakadam, Many Clouds and Road To Riches are just four of
those who could also have a say in the finish, so Silviniaco Conti
will have to be at the very top of his game if he’s to make it
third time lucky.
Selection: Cheltenham 3.20 Lay
Silviniaco Conti (5.1 on Betfair)
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