14:30 Aintree: Silviniaco Conti hard to oppose, even at odds-on
Published:If not for an error at the third last, Silviniaco Conti may well be arriving at Aintree as the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and although the Betfred Bowl does not hold the same prestige as the Festival showpiece, it is not the worst consolation prize.
Silviniaco Conti had built up a four-race winning streak, which began at Aintree 12 months ago, before his unfortunate Cheltenham fall and it is 4/5 that he bounces back to winning ways here.
It is widely regarded that he is better suited to flatter circuits and so Aintree should play to his strengths.
Not only has he triumphed on his only previous visit to the course, but he is also unbeaten on his two starts over the Betfred Bowl distance of 3m1f.
The one negative towards his chances could be that he had a taxing race at Cheltenham before his relatively heavy fall and so there could be doubts as to whether he has sufficiently recovered.
Those wanting to take on the favourite could do worse than plump for Quito De La Roque instead, who looks solid each-way value at 9/1.
Paul Townend’s mount had been below par for a good 18 months before proving punters were wrong to write him off with a dominant display at Thurles last time.
On the evidence of this run, he may well be back to his best and it could additionally be significant that connections withdrew the horse from the Grand National for this.
Grey Abbey and Exotic Dancer have both won this as the second stage of a double with the Argento Chase in the past eight years and Cape Tribulation is bidding to add his name to this particular list.
Cape Tribulation may be caught for a bit of speed here, but is sure to be staying on nearer the line and may run into a place at 12/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
