Silviniaco Conti Chase: Will we gain any Ryanair Chase clues from the Kempton Grade 2?

Seven horses are entered for the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park this weekend, and it could prove to be a notable trial for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. We pick out those leading players that could push themselves into the Ryanair picture here...

Run over 2m 4f 110y, the Silviniaco Conti Chase is an ideal prep for the 2m 5f Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March, and with a former Ryanair winner in Frodon (won 2020 race) on the roll of honour then it's certainly one of the leading trials for the Grade 1 on day three of the festival. 

Venetia Williams has been in sparkling form this season, and she is set to unleash the classy Fanion D'Estruval, who was an extremely easy winner at Newbury last time out. Fifth in the Ryanair Chase last season, the seven-year-old is as short as 20/1 and as big as 50s for the Ryanair Chase, but if he were to get his head in front then his price will most certainly be nearer the former than the latter.

Former Grade 1 Ascot Chase winner Dashel Drasher bounced back to form over hurdles last time out, and the Jeremy Scott-trained nine-year-old will aim to build on that effort with a return to the chasing sphere. Available at 33s for the Ryanair, Scott's charge has to be considered a leading player here. 

Nicky Henderson has trained three of the last six winners of this race and he will saddle Mister Fisher (50/1 for Ryanair), and he will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing show in the King George, where he was pulled up. However, the former winner of the Peterborough Chase is a class act on his day, and could be an ideal Ryanair candidate come the spring.

Paul Nicholls has won the last two renewals of the Silviniaco Conti Chase and he saddles Master Tommytucker, who has shown frailties over his obstacles throughout his career, so is best watched, while the former Cheltenham Festival winner Defi Du Seuil will be looking to recapture some of his old form here, and he's another 50/1 chance for the Ryanair.

Completing the line up are another Nicholls runner in Rouge Vif (50/1 for Ryanair), who was last seen finishing fourth of four in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, and he will be tackling this trip for the first time in his career. A 33/1 chance for the Ryanair Chase, Eldorado Allen is arguably one of those that could be a lively each-way player come Cheltenham in March, but the flat track of Kempton could see him tapped for toe, but a solid run here could book his spot in the Ryanair.