Pain-free Conti now has the look of a'¨National contender

In a season that has so far been largely disappointing, the seemingly rejuvenated Paul Nicholls-trained gelding took his seventh, and most decisive victory, at the highest level in the fashion of a horse that still has plenty more to offer.

Sitting upsides pacesetter Royal Regatta throughout the two-mile five-furlong race and clearly benefiting from the application of blinkers, the Noel Fehily-ridden favourite moved past the Philip Hobbs-trained runner three fences from home with consummate ease.

The 10-year-old quickly put his assured stamina to good use, drawing clear over the final two fences to win by 20 lengths from the staying-on Dynaste and leave behind his lacklustre effort in this season’s King George VI Chase.

Following the race, Silviniaco Conti was shortened into 16-1 from 25-1 for the National by Leeds-based William Hill.

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.

“We had problems going into the King George and he pulled up at Kempton basically because he was hurting and also he was choking a fraction.

“We did his wind and had his palate cauterised and his sarcoids healed up, so he was not feeling any pain.

“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 has been lazy when hitting the front and it was a bit like See More Business all over again. What blinkers can do for these older horses is incredible.”

Nicholls ruled out Silviniaco Conti lining up in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham – the horse does not perform at the track – and said that it was a toss-up between Aintree’s Betfred Bowl, a Grade One race which his stable stalwart has won for the past two seasons, or the National itself.

“The National is a definite possibility. Arguably, he is quite well in now,” he added.

“Neptune Collonges was the best horse I’ve run in the race (National) and I’ve always thought that Silviniaco Conti would follow him, as they are by the same sire.”

The Scottish National could be on the cards for the Tom O’Brien-ridden Sausalito Sunrise after a 12-length success in the Appletiser 50 Year Celebration Handicap Chase in the colours of Grahame and Diana Whateley.

Despite being burdened with top weight, the eight-year-old ground out a 12-length success in the three-mile prize to set up a potential trip to Ayr in April.