This Weekends Racing – Reviewed by The Sportsman Racing

Silviniaco Conti was second in the aforementioned Feltham , staying the trip strongly and jumping soundly to boot. The 3m trip on Saturday should be right up Silviniaco Conti’s cul-de-sac with champion jockey Tony McCoy having described him as a definite “three-miler”. The six-year-old is open to further progression and a big run on Saturday would see his current odds of 12-1 for the RSA Chase axed. Also in the field, Join Together lies third in the betting for the RSA at best odds of 10-1 and is a likable performer having shown plenty of guts in his races. Stamina is his forte and you will always get a run for your money with this fellow. In the Betfair Ascot Chase at 3.00 Riverside Theatre takes centre stage having been off the track for a year with a pelvis injury. Nicky Henderon’s lengthy eight-year-old won this valuable contest a year ago when he was last seen on the track. Riverside Theatre showed excellent speed that day to thrash the decent Gauvain by twelve-lengths. Upbeat reports are being issued on Riverside Theatre’s wellbeing and if he duplicates last year’s winning form he will emerge triumphant. Riverside Theatre’s lack of a recent run however, offers Kauto Stone an olive branch and Paul Nicholls’ charge would be my preference. A half-brother to Kauto Star, the six-year-old holds top-class chase form in France, featuring an impressive Grade 1 win at Auteuil, and made the perfect start for his new yard when effortlessly taking a Grade 2 at Down Royal. In the Tingle Creek at Sandown, finishing second to hot Champion Chase favourite Sizing Europe was no disgrace. With Ruby Walsh on board, Kauto Stone can put up a bold showing. At Wincanton another Nicky Henderson horse – Grandouet seeks to cement his Champion Hurdle claims and will take plenty of beating in the Kingwell Hurdle. One of the best juvenile hurdlers of last season the flat track of Wincanton should suit this rangy five-year-old with the admirable Celestial Halo rating the danger.]]>