Paul Nicholls claimed his first William Hill King George VI Chase of the post-Kauto Star era as Silviniaco Conti hunted down Cue Card in the final stages of Kempton’s St Stephen’s feature.

PAUL NICHOLLS is still unsure whether his crack two-miler Azertyuiop will step up in distance for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.