THE Betfair Chase at Ascot last weekend was run on very soft ground and in heavy rain. The best horse won, on ground that he handled well, and it looked as though Silviniaco Conti had returned to his best form. However, the race might not have taken much winning and punters might be wary of rushing to back him for the Grand National. Just because on his best form he is the class horse and is well in, doesn’t necessarily make him a likely winner.

Even off 11st 8lb, he will still have to give a stone to some useful rivals. Although there were excuses for his earlier loss of form and he has good form at Aintree in the spring, Silviniaco Conti has never really captured the public imagination as many who have achieved less. A King George winner in a National will be a rare sight.

Royal Regatta was the real Ascot eye-catcher at a track he seems to like, only giving way at the second last. But he was rated 20lb below Silviniaco at the start of the season. It’s proving difficult for Dynaste to find a race to win. Triolo D’Alene didn’t come on from his reappearance run, Flemenstar was tailed off, Savello, Ma Filleule were all pulled up and were disappointing. It was not a strong field.

Silviniaco Conti is a general 12/1 but there’s no need to go backing him just yet.