Paul Nicholls believes he has Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Silviniaco Conti at the "top of his form".

The nine-year-old won the King George VI Chase for a second time at Kempton on Boxing Day, and this will be his third run in the Gold Cup.

Silviniaco Conti fells two years ago when still going well and was in front jumping the last 12 months ago, only to wander up the hill and finish fourth.

Nicholls feels whatever caused that waywardness is now behind him as he joins stablemate Sam Winner for another crack at the blue riband .

"Him and Sam Winner have been doing everything together since they ran over Christmas," the Ditcheat handler told At The Races.

"They had a racecourse gallop together (at Wincanton) last week. They are working hard and I'm very pleased with them.

"Conti wasn't finishing his races in the spring last year, even when he won at Aintree he didn't finish strongly.

"Cheekpieces have helped him concentrate and at Haydock and Kempton he was finishing off his races much better.

"I think he's at the top of his form."