Silviniaco bounces back at Ascot Wearing blinkers for the first time, Silviniaco Conti returned to his best with a superb win in the Betfair Ascot Chase. Some had questioned whether the writing was on the wall for the 10-year-old following a disappointing performance at his favoured Kempton Park despite a history of health problems. Trainer Paul Nicholls issued positive bulletins regarding the Dom Alco's gelding health while switching his headgear from cheekpieces. That change may or may not have not made any difference but Silviniaco Conti travelled with zest behind the front-running Royal Regatta throughout the two mile five furlong contest. The leader had cried enough entering the straight and with none of the other rivals able to get into contention, Silviniaco Conti and Noel Fehily were left to come home alone. Returned the 2/1 favourite, he finished 20 lengths clear of Dynaste who passed Royal Regatta for third close home to claim a seventh Grade One success in his career. Fehily said " It's great to get him back, well done to Paul and his team, a great training performance. "I thought we'd gone a good gallop and I wanted to make sure he galloped through the line today, which he hadn't been doing. "The blinkers didn't do any harm, he jumped much better today, certainly better than at Haydock." Nicholls said: "I was mortified after the King George, I couldn't believe how badly he ran. "He was pain free today, blinkers were the right thing, the ground was right and he was back to his best. "When he's right he's a very good horse, you have to be to win seven Grade Ones. When he's right he's very good, but we've struggled all season. "The problems he's had have been incredible. I knew he was coming right but I thought another fortnight might have done him good, but he was very fresh beforehand. "He won't run in the World Hurdle, it will either be the National or the Bowl that he's won for the past few years."
