Noel Meade wary of Silviniaco Conti

Trainer Noel Meade has admitted that Silviniaco Conti is the one to fear in next month’s Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Meade will be hoping Road To Riches will be able to power to victory but he will be up against it.

A talented field will include Many Clouds, Holywell, Lord Windermere, Bobs Worth and Boston Bob, and Meade has already outlined Silviniaco Conti as the main threat.

Road to Riches picked up wins at Down Royal and Leopardstown over Christmas but Meade is still expecting him to be pushed all the way by Paul Nicholls’ ante-post favourite

He said: “I think Silviniaco Conti is the one they have to beat as he has the best form in the race.

“If he can produce his King George run in Cheltenham, there’s every reason to believe he’s going to be very hard to beat.

“I don’t think there’s much between the Irish horses in the race.”