Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase |
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| Grade 1, Kempton Park £80,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 110yds, Class 1 |
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Edwardstone looks set to roll on to Kempton and a date with the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase, the plan taking shape after a thoroughly encouraging second place in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.
Alan King’s much-admired standard-bearer, Arkle hero of 2022 and a familiar face in the top two-mile chases ever since, was venturing back up in trip for the first time since January 2024 and, if anything, appeared to enjoy the extra emphasis on stamina. Still travelling with enthusiasm and purpose, he showed there is plenty of life left in him as he chased home a high-class winner.
King is keen to keep Edwardstone at two-and-a-half miles for the time being, feeling that the distance could be just what the veteran needs as he continues to enjoy the latter chapters of a distinguished career.
“He’s A1, absolutely fine,” said King. “I was thrilled with him and I would imagine we go for the Silviniaco Conti on January 10.
“What we’re not going to do is come back in trip and we’ll stay at two-and-a-half for his next run. We’ll take it one race at a time, but the old boy is loving it.
Djelo goes back to back in the Sky Bet Peterborough Chase! 🏆
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 7, 2025
The first since Racing Demon to win this race back to back!#ITVRacing | @charliedeutsch2 | @VenetiaWRacing pic.twitter.com/x2XReOtoRx
“The winner of the Peterborough Chase (Djelo) is an exceptional horse, but we beat everything else really well and he’s come out of it fine. I would have loved to have won but I enjoyed it a lot and the owners loved it as well.
“We’re all in agreement it will be one race at a time and if he ever tells us he’s had enough we will stop. But at home he still charges up that hill every morning.”
The Peterborough winner Djelo emerged with plenty of credit himself and remains firmly on an upward curve, with connections expected to consider further top-level options over similar trips as the season unfolds. Others from that race are also likely to take confidence from their efforts, but it was Edwardstone’s performance that perhaps caught the imagination most, a reminder that class, enthusiasm and experience can still carry a horse a long way. All roads now appear to lead to Kempton, where another intriguing chapter awaits.
Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2)
£80,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 110y, Class 1
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