Silviniaco Conti holds off Dynaste in thrilling Betfred Bowl at Aintree
Thursday 3 April 2014 17:52, UK
Silviniaco Conti rallied strongly to beat Dynaste in a thrilling renewal of the Betfred Bowl at Aintree.
The Paul Nicholls trained eight-year-old added another Grade 1 prize to his list of honours after winning the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
Noel Fehily had the 9/4 second favourite up with the pace from the off, eventually getting the better of First Lieutenant to set the kind of steady pace he was happy with.
He made a bad mistake six out but soon recovered and travelled nicely as they turned for home, albeit with plenty of challengers not far behind.
Menorah dropped out with a bad mistake at the second last and, just as he had in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, Silviniaco Conti drifted between the last two as Dynaste came with his challenge.
But he was soon back on an even keel, jumping the last in unison with David Pipe's grey, and he found more on the run-in to hold on by just under two lengths with outsider Argocat running on well for third.
Fehily said: "I think he likes a little bit of company, he likes to go along with other horses.
"I was ever so disappointed to get beat in the Gold Cup because I thought he was the best horse and in the end I didn't end up in the first three."
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![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: The going on the hurdles track is checked with a going stick at Aintree racecourse on April 03, 2014 in Liverpool, England.]()
Image: An early check of the Aintree turf with the going stick -
![Willie Mullins at Aintree on the opening day of the Grand National Meeting]()
Image: Willie Mullins at Aintree on the opening day of the Grand National Meeting -
![A floral tribute for Hillsborough Victims during the Crabbie's Grand National 2014, Grand Opening Day at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION P]()
Image: A floral tribute to victims of the Hillsborough tragedy at Aintree. -
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Paul Carberry riding Guitar Pete (C) clear the last to win The IJF 50th Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree racecourse on]()
Image: Guitar Pete (centre) on his way to winning the opener -
![Silviniaco Conti ridden by Noel Fehily leaps the last to win the Betfred Bowl at Aintree]()
Image: Silviniaco Conti leads Dynaste over the last in the Betfred Bowl... -
![Silviniaco Conti ridden by Noel Fehily jumps the last fence ahead of Dynaste ridden by Tom Scudamore]()
Image: ...and goes on to win his second Grade One victory of the season -
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Sam Twiston-Davies riding The New One clear the last to win The Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle at Aintree racecourse on April 03,]()
Image: The New One just held off a late Rock On Ruby charge to land the Aintree Hurdle -
![The New One beats Rock On Ruby and Diakali]()
Image: Diakali was close-up in a thrilling finish -
![Warne ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen clears the last fence]()
Image: Warne and Sam Waley-Cohen take the Fox Hunters -
![Parsnip Pete and Paddy Brennan wins the Silver Cross red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase during the Crabbie's Grand National 2014, Grand Opening Day at Aintree]()
Image: Parsnip Pete and Paddy Brennan win the Red Rum Handicap Chase -
![A man cheers on his horse as racegoers attend the opening day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse on April 3]()
Image: At least one racegoer looks to have been among the winners -
![Uxizandre and Tony McCoy lead Oscar Whisky]()
Image: Uxizandre and Tony McCoy lead Oscar Whisky over the last to win the Grade One Manifesto Novices' Chase -
![A racegoer uses the camera on her phone to check her hair at Aintree]()
Image: A racegoer uses the camera on her phone to check her hair before the final race -
![Doctor Harper wins Thursday's finale at Aintree]()
Image: Here's hoping she backed Doctor Harper who won for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore
Nicholls added: "I wanted to be very positive with him - he keeps on galloping. He did the job well. He's won a King George and this, so it's brilliant.
"I'll talk to the lads, there's Punchestown but I think we'll probably end it (the season) on that."
"We've needed a good chaser after Kauto and Denman, and he's done fantastically right. We'll try and put that right (his defeat in the Gold Cup) and win some races along the way."
Pipe was pleased with Dynaste's run, which seems likely to be his last of the season,
"It was a cracking run and we'll look forward for next season now," he said. "It'll be the same sort of races and aim towards Cheltenham again.
"He's had a fantastic season and I'd say Punchestown was unlikely because he's had two tough races."
