Charlie Hall Chase Result: Conti shoots clear

The Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti was impressive

Silviniaco Conti graduated to full company in style as he ran out a wide-margin winner of the Charlie Hall Chase...

A Grade 2 novice winner at Aintree at the end of last term, the Nicholls-trained runner was sent off favourite against five more experienced rivals.

Planet Of Sound and Midnight Chase raced prominently throughout in the Grade 2 heat but the latter was the first to cry enough as the pace turned up a notch. Wayward Prince came through on the outside travelling noticeably well as Planet Of Sound also began to toil. However, Walsh was making stealthy progress aboard Silviniaco Conti and he delivered his challenge approaching the second last.

Walsh said: "He jumped very well and travelled really well and he felt a bit stronger than he did last year. I've always really liked him and when he got beat by Grands Crus in the Feltham (last year), there was no disgrace in that. He's got a huge future. I'm not saying he's there yet, but he's got the potential to go to the next level."

Paul Nicholls also enjoyed Grade 1 success in Ireland where Kauto Stone landed the JN Wine Champion Chase. The front-running First Lieutenant made a battle of it, but he had no answer as Kauto Stone pulled away after the last.

Kauto Stone was upholding the family tradition as he emulated the feat of his great half-brother Kauto Star, who won this race in 2008 and 2010.