Graham Cunningham's In-Play Blog: Betfair Chase day

Will Silviniaco Conti follow up his Charlie Hall win?

It might be as well for whoever is responsible for parading Kauto Star at Haydock this Saturday to keep a tight hold as the runners for the Betfair Chase head to post, otherwise the hugely popular veteran would probably jump in and bid for a fifth win in the race. With the old king retired it looks a case of whether last year's runner-up Long Run can fend off the hugely progressive Silvianaco Conti and Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham feels the new kid on the block is a danger to all in Saturday's 200,000 showpiece...

Assessing who will win the battle within the battle is highly important for anyone who trades races in-running on a regular basis.

The battle in question might involve grabbing the lead in a falsely-run race or ensuring a horse settles under restraint behind a fierce gallop.

But over jumps the battle within the battle often involves doing as much as possible under the rules to compromise the chance of a main rival.

Ruby Walsh executed the tactic to perfection aboard Kauto Star in the third quarter of last year's Betfair Chase and the errors he forced from Long Run proved crucial in knocking that gelding out of his racing rhythm.

Time will tell whether the wily Walsh can do the same again aboard Silviniaco Conti, but this hugely progressive six-year-old looks the safe call as he bids to add yet another powerful string to Paul Nicholls's post-Kauto chasing bow.

Granted, any horse who has won a King George and a Gold Cup by 12 lengths and seven lengths should never be opposed lightly and Long Run's best form gives him the winning of this by clear daylight.

However, Long Run didn't produce his very best after those sluggish errors in this race last year and he might just be vulnerable again if Silviniaco Conti and The Giant Bolster live up to their potential here.

Silvianaco Conti's achievements as a very young horse in the Nicholls academy went under the radar while Kauto and company were stealing the show but he's making up for that now and jumped like a buck to win Grade 2 chases at Aintree in April and Wetherby three weeks ago.

Deep ground is no barrier and, with further improvement probable, I'm more than happy to back him with a view to trading out at odds on if Long Run doesn't bring his A game first time out for the third year running.

The angle into the Betfair Don't Settle For Less Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle (14.30) for the last two years has been to side with unexposed ex-French recruits from the Pipe stable.

Grands Crus and Dynaste both delivered in rampant style, but it's very hard to know whether Katkeau is cut from the same cloth as that pair and there could be better value to be found with Barafundle on his return from a long absence.

Jennie Candlish's gelding will have company on the pace here thanks to the presence of American Spin and Mr Moonshine, but there's no doubt that the handicapper has given him a fighting chance in dropping him to a mark just 3lb higher than when second in this two years ago and when winning in style at Newbury the following week.

Candlish's other good stayer Cross Kennon ran a screamer at Cheltenham last week and Barafundle can do likewise at a sporting price provided his training problems haven't left any lasting damage.

One freewheeling front runner and one sound jumping stalker for the last two legs of this Saturday's trading four timer.

Double Ross is the front runner in question and it isn't difficult to make a strong case for him in Haydock's Try Racing Fixed Odds On Betfair Handicap Hurdle at 12.55.

Two fine efforts in defeat here read well enough, but Double Ross clearly recorded a lifetime best against some unexposed rivals at Cheltenham last Sunday and the way he bounded clear of the well- handicapped Pipe runner Close House was impressive.

Similar forcing tactics look sure to be employed again and even with a 7lb penalty this likeable chestnut looks sure to give his followers a very bold run for their money.

The latter comment also applies to Pepite Rose in Ascot's Carey Group Handicap Chase at 15.20.

With Marodima, Mad Max and William's Wishes in opposition this promises to be fiery from an early stage and that might well play firmly to the strengths of Pepite Rose.

Already a winner four times from six attempts over fences, this Venetia Williams-trained mare looked as good are ever when third over this course and distance on her reappearance and a BHA mark of 145 looks very fair on her best form.

Saturday recommendations

Back Double Ross in Haydock's 12.55 and lay off at 2.56/4 in running
Back Barafundle in Haydock's 14.30 and lay off at 3.55/2 in running
Back Pepite Rose in Ascot's 15.20 and lay off at 2.56/4 in running
Back Silvianaco Conti in Haydock's 15.05 and lay off at 1.51/2 in running