Progressive Silviniaco Conti can give Fehily his finest hour
He is the new kid on the block for a trainer who has previously enjoyed success in the race with See More Business, Denman and on two occasions with the flying machine that was Kauto Star.
All the evidence thus far is Silviniaco Conti has a fair way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as Kauto Star and Denman in particular, but he is gradually getting there.
As an eight-year-old, he should now be at the peak of his powers and has clearly been trained this season with just the one goal in mind.
That said, he did pick up a massive prize along the way, when outstaying Cue Card to land the King George at Kempton at Christmas.
In the Gold Cup a year ago, the selection was travelling strongly when falling three out and is entitled to be an even better 12 months on.
Last year’s winner, Bobs Worth, is very much the one to beat, especially as the drying ground is all in his favour.
He overcame a soft surface then, finding loads for Barry Geraghty pressure to easily beat Sir Des Champs, after struggling to get in a blow for much of the contest.
Bobs Worth has been given a typical Nicky Henderson preparation, rested sincetaking the Lexus in fine style at Christmas.
Last Instalment has been likened to Denman and if those comparisons are in any way accurate then has to go close, presuming, that is, he is allowed to take his chance.
Philip Fenton’s charge has made a spectacular return from injury and was quite brilliant when taking the Hennessy at Leopardstown in February. But he’s clearly most effective in testing conditions and is not going to have his ground now.
Silviniaco Conti to give Cork-born rider, Noel Fehily, the greatest day of his life is the prediction.
The Willie Mullins camp will not hear of defeat for Briar Hill, in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, and it makes sense to stick with a winning team.
His Vautour and Faugheen have looked absolute stars of the future this week and there is no disguising the confidence behind last year’s Cheltenham bumper winner, who is unbeaten in three races over flights.
