Conti returns at Kempton today Silviniaco Conti makes a surprise reappearance over hurdles at Kempton today ahead of the Betfair Chase later this month. Paul Nicholls feels he has to get the nine-year-old back on the track before attempting to win the big race at Haydock for a third time, and the Pertemps Network Handicap Qualifier was the only option. The Ditcheat trainer reports Silviniaco Conti, who is returning to the scene of two victories in the William Hill King George VI Chase, in need of the run, having suffered a setback earlier in the campaign. "I need to give him a run before Haydock. There's nothing else to run him in bar this race, so we're using this as a stepping stone," said Nicholls. "He had a little setback earlier in the season so he's not as forward as we could like. "He'll improve for the run whatever he does." Silviniaco Conti had smart form over hurdles earlier in his career, winning the Coral Hurdle at Ascot five years ago. He is, though, giving 12lb and upwards to his four rivals, including 22lb to Low Key. In contrast to the top weight, the David Pipe-trained eight-year-old is race fit, having won over hurdles in the summer and having been in action on the Flat. After landing the Cesarewitch Trial, he was sent off favourite for the marathon handicap itself but was unplaced behind Grumeti. Imogen Pickard's Mister Fizz, the Philip Hobbs-trained Brother Tedd and Kaysersberg from Warren Greatrex's stable completes the quintet.
