Edwardstone rolls back the years at Kempton

Edwardstone rolled back the years with victory in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton Park.

Alan King’s 12-year-old was one of a quartet of runners for the Grade Two prize, partnered as usual by Tom Cannon as he looked to get his head in front for the first time since February 2024.

The four travelled well in touch with one another, until Kalif Du Berlais unseated Harry Cobden – suffering what proved to be a fatal injury in the process – after which three were left to fight it out and it was the veteran who prevailed by a length and three-quarters from Master Chewy at odds of 7-2.

With King departing for his annual mid-season holiday, it was left to jubilant assistant Robin Smith to address the waiting media, with the win extra special for the man who partners the veteran daily in his work at Barbury Castle.

Smith said: “It gives me a real lump in the throat, if you go to the yard and see him go up the gallop at the age of 12, to still see him go up as he does, it can’t help but put a smile on your face.

“I don’t know what I was thinking turning in and I was starting to scratch my head, but he really picked up and it was a good jump at the last two.

“This is huge and he’s so special to the yard, a lot of people have put in a lot of hard work and it’s been a wonderful journey with him.

“It’s been tough chasing Jonbon round the last couple of seasons and two and a half (miles) has just given us another option and it’s wonderful to get his head back in front, it means an awful lot.”

He went on: “I think the boss is taking off imminently and whoever is sitting next to him on the plane shouldn’t have too torrid a time! I’m sure there will be a few drinks flowing.”