"The old boy is loving it" - King targeting Kempton with Edwardstone

Edwardstone is likely to head to Kempton for the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase next month following his fine second in the Peterborough Chase.

Alan King’s stalwart, who won the Arkle back in 2022 and has been a regular player in the top two-mile chasing events since, was stepping up in trip for the first time since January 2024 at Huntingdon and appeared to relish the extended yardage as he proved he still remains plenty of enthusiasm.

The Barbury Castle handler would now like to remain at the two-and-a-half-mile distance as he hopes Edwardstone continues to enjoy the twilight of his decorated career.

“He’s A1, absolutely fine,” said King. “I was thrilled with him and I would imagine we go for the Silviniaco Conti on January 10.

“What we’re not going to do is come back in trip and we’ll stay at two-and-a-half for his next run. We’ll take it one race at a time, but the old boy is loving it.

“The winner of the Peterborough Chase (Djelo) is an exceptional horse, but we beat everything else really well and he’s come out of it fine. I would have loved to have won but I enjoyed it a lot and the owners loved it as well.

“We’re all in agreement it will be one race at a time and if he ever tells us he’s had enough we will stop. But at home he still charges up that hill every morning.”