Silviniaco Conti Wins 2nd King George Chase
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Silviniaco Conti won the William Hill King George VI Chase for the second straight year Dec. 26, making all the pace en route to a 4 1/2-length triumph in the traditional Boxing Day feature at Kempton.
The 15-8 favorite gave trainer Paul Nicholls a record-extending ninth win in the prestigious race.
Jockey Noel Fehily pushed Silviniaco Conti in front at the start to make it a test of stamina in gloomy conditions at Kempton. Silviniaco Conti won comfortably from Dynaste, with Al Ferof, who also is trained by Nicholls, five lengths back in third.
The top three finishers were all bred in France.
Silviniaco Conti covered the three-mile test over 18 fences in 6:03.30 on turf rated as good to soft.
''He was very good,'' said Nicholls, who trained the great Kauto Star to five wins in the King George VI Chase. ''He jumped well, he just gallops and stays. That was our plan; to make it a test as he's really fit.''
After Silviniaco Conti soared over the next-to-last fence to pull even farther away, it was simply a race for second and Dynaste stayed on well to finish ahead of Al Ferof. Nicholls-trained Wonderful Charm finished seventh.
The winning 8-year-old Dom Alco gelding, campaigned by Chris Giles and Potensis Bloodstock, won last year's edition of the King George by 3 1/2 lengths after tracking pacesetter Cue Card throughout and powerfully taking charge after the second to last fence when that opponent's energy was sapped. Cue Card was fifth this year.
Silviniaco Conti's next race is likely to be the Gold Cup next March at Cheltenham.
''I think he's proved today what a very good horse he is, whatever the ground,'' Fehily said. ''He did it the hard way, he went a real good gallop.''
Silviniaco Conti was bred by Patrick Joubert. His dam is the Altayan mare Gazelle Lulu.