Noel Meade is fearful of Silviniaco Conti when Road To Riches goes for gold at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

The County Meath handler this year has one of the main contenders for the Betfred Gold Cup after the eight-year-old added to his Grade One gains at Down Royal in November with a cool success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

But Meade is especially wary of Paul Nicholls' ante-post favourite, who has looked exceptional in the King George VI Chase at Kempton and in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Meade 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."