Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase
Grade 1, Kempton Park 14:40
£80,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
2m 4f 110yds, Class 1  
Saturday 10th January 2026

BetPlay

1 Edwardstone 7/2
2 Master Chewy 9/1
3 Boombawn 4/1
4 ran Distances: 1¾l, ½l
Time: 5m 1.98s (slow by 0.98s)

The race will be remembered as much for its triumph as for its tragedy, a race day that delivered sporting satisfaction in one moment and profound sorrow in the next.

Four runners went to post for the Grade Two contest, headed by the promising Kalif Du Berlais, whose season had begun with such expectation after his Grade One success at Aintree. Edwardstone, now 12, lined up seeking to roll back the years under Tom Cannon, with Master Chewy and Boombawn completing the field. For a time, the quartet travelled in close company, each jumping fluently and moving with purpose.

Then, approaching one of Kempton’s fences, the race took its devastating turn. Kalif Du Berlais unseated Harry Cobden and landed awkwardly. Despite immediate attention from the veterinary team, the injury – a broken shoulder – was untreatable, and the decision was made to euthanise the horse. Paul Nicholls later reflected on the loss in stark terms.

“It’s a sad day when you lose horses like that, it’s hard on the whole team. It’s a big kick in the teeth for everyone, the owners, the poor girl who looks after him – you hate to see that happen.

“He was just showing his class today, he jumped and travelled well and sadly now he will never be able to show the potential we thought he had.

“I can say as much as I like, but it’s just a shame for the whole team and a real kick in the teeth. Harry was extremely upset and is missing his ride in the last as he doesn’t feel great about it.

“He’s a big, bold horse who attacks his fences and those horses, when they do that, can end up having a bad fall.

“He was enthusiastic today and travelling beautifully and we’ll never know where we would have ended up, we’ve always had a lot of faith in him.

“These things happen sadly and we’ll have to try to pick ourselves up and move forward.

“These horses get the best of everything, there’s not much you can say to make it better at this point.

“It never gets any easier when these things happen and it’s a big old blow today.

“Thankfully the vets were right on the scene and they say he broke his shoulder, he’s gone there (to the fence) full of enthusiasm, winged it and then in the air changed his mind and landed awkwardly, it’s just sad.

“He’s won a Grade One and had a big future, there is no doubt about that, but we’re not going to know how big sadly.”

With Kalif Du Berlais gone, three horses remained to contest the finish. In the closing stages, it was Edwardstone who summoned a final surge. The veteran, so often a loyal servant in top company, found enough at the last two fences and stretched away to score by a length and three-quarters from Master Chewy, returning a popular 7-2 success and providing a moment of joy amid the gloom.

With Alan King away on his mid-season break, assistant trainer Robin Smith spoke for the team, and for all who know Edwardstone best.

“It gives me a real lump in the throat, if you go to the yard and see him go up the gallop at the age of 12, to still see him go up as he does, it can’t help but put a smile on your face.

“I don’t know what I was thinking turning in and I was starting to scratch my head, but he really picked up and it was a good jump at the last two.

“This is huge and he’s so special to the yard, a lot of people have put in a lot of hard work and it’s been a wonderful journey with him.

“It’s been tough chasing Jonbon round the last couple of seasons and two and a half (miles) has just given us another option and it’s wonderful to get his head back in front, it means an awful lot.”

He added, with a nod to celebrations planned and deserved, “I think the boss is taking off imminently and whoever is sitting next to him on the plane shouldn’t have too torrid a time! I’m sure there will be a few drinks flowing.”

But the Silviniaco Conti Chase was only one chapter in a harrowing afternoon. Earlier on the card, Peso was pulled up in the Coral “Daily Rewards Shaker” Handicap Chase with an injury that could not be treated, and later Wertpol suffered a fatal fall at the last in the juvenile hurdle.

Harry Derham wrote after losing Wertpol: “An utterly miserable day at Kempton Park today losing Wertpol who we only had the good fortune of having in our yard for a short period of time.

“He was a bright talent who was fresh and happy doing his work every day, often playing around and expressing himself. He loved his job and I am so sad for his Heart Of The South syndicate, who are the most wonderful group of people.

“Racing at times can at times be a painful sport and today has been a tough day for a number of connections. A day to forget.”

Kempton Park issued a statement later in the day, confirming that all three horses received immediate veterinary attention but that their injuries proved unsurvivable.

“All of us at Kempton Park care deeply about the welfare of all racehorses, as do the thousands of racing staff who provide them with world-class levels of care at home every day. Our heartfelt condolences are with the connections of all three horses.”

So a day that began with anticipation and sporting ambition ended under a shadow. Edwardstone’s gallant revival provided a reminder of racing’s enduring spirit, but it came against the backdrop of heavy loss – a sobering and painful afternoon at Kempton that will not be quickly forgotten.

Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2)
£80,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 110y, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

POST. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Edwardstone 12 11-2 Alan King Tom Cannon 7/2
2 1¾ Master Chewy 9 11-8 Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 9/1
3 ½ Boombawn 9 11-5 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 4/1
UR Kalif Du Berlais 6 11-5 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 8/11F

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