Silviniaco Conti takes Bowl Chase at Aintree

Silviniaco Conti dug deep when it mattered most to register back-to-back victories in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree.

The nine-year-old was sent straight to the lead in the three-mile-one furlong contest by Noel Fehily just strides after the tapes rose.

Closely pursued by main market rival Holywell, the 7-4 favourite seemed to enjoy himself out in front jumping with great enthusiasm.

After a circuit of little change, Fehily began to turn the screw up front as the field headed down the back straight for a second time.

Heading around the home turn the leader was still travelling best of them all, and as Holywell began to feel the pinch, Ma Filleule moved up menacingly in the hands of Daryl Jacob.

Although looking beat, Holywell responded to pressure over the second-last, with Silviniaco Conti shaken up and the patiently-ridden Ballynagour creeping closer all the time.

As the challenge of Holywell finally petered out, Ballynagour was left to lay down the gauntlet but it was not enough with the Paul Nicholls-trained winner leaving behind his effort in the Gold Cup to win by a head.

Fehily said: "It was another great performance, he's some little horse on his day, his jumping was electric, that was what he was like at Kempton.

"I don't know what it is about Cheltenham, I can't put my finger on it, but he's won another Grade One today and had a great season."

Nicholls said: "I knew he was going to idle in front and then he got in really tight to the last. I said to Noel last night to make all, don't give them an inch as he's mega-fit and if he flies like he can he'll win.

"He's not the quickest but he gallops all day. He loves this better ground and I don't think the testing ground at Cheltenham suited him.

"It's so good to get them back on song after a disappointing run, it reflects so well on the team.

"We'll just have to keep him on this sort of track now. I was revving Noel up last night to make every post a winning one, I'm so chuffed.

"I did enter him at Punchestown this morning, just in case something went wrong today, but he's finished for the season now."

Nicholls went on: "It was always the plan to jump off handy and make use of his jumping. He's an idle horse to be in front, but he always does enough.

"It's good to get him back as we thought he went into Cheltenham in good form and for whatever reason Cheltenham just doesn't suit him.

"Who needs a Gold Cup when you can have days like this? It might be prudent to miss Cheltenham (next year), unless it was very good, fast ground" - Paul Nicholls

"On a flat track like this, his jumping counts for so much and it paid off today.

"It was probably one of Noel's best rides ever, I'd say. Who needs a Gold Cup when you can have days like this? It might be prudent to miss Cheltenham (next year), unless it was very good, fast ground.

"There's the King George, the Betfair Chase. We could even think of Down Royal as a starting point with him.

"We don't have to train him for the Gold Cup. I think you can say the Gold Cup isn't a priority any more.

"His jumping was spectacular today and he's the sort of horse that could end up, like Neptune (Collonges), running in the National.

"We always thought he'd get an entry one day. Whether it's next year or the year after, he could be a right horse to run in the National."

David Pipe said of the runner-up: "It's not often I'm glad to be second but he'd been off since the Hennessy and isn't the easiest to train.

"When you do get him right he's a good horse. The hood helped him settle and it was his first time at three miles, which I always thought he'd want.

"We picked up some nice prize money and it gives us some nice options for next year."

Jonjo O'Neill said of the third home Holywell: "He ran very well. He just wasn't good enough on the day, but he ran a blinder.

"I was very pleased with the way he ran really. When you look at the way he was travelling down the back, to still finish third I thought was a great performance.

"He's entered at Punchestown but as we speak I'd say it's highly unlikely he'll go there."

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