Conti likely to take direct route to Gold Cup

Silviniaco Conti is likely to head straight for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Paul Nicholls won his ninth King George as Silviniaco Conti successfully defended his crown in the St Stephen’s Day highlight and the champion trainer now has his heart set on winning a first Gold Cup with his star staying chaser after mishaps in the race for the past two seasons.

In 2013 he was still going well when he fell for the only time in his career at the third last and last March he jumped the final fence in front before fading into fourth.