News Paul Nicholls to enter Silviniaco Conti in Grand National at Aintree

Paul Nicholls to enter Silviniaco Conti in Grand National at Aintree

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Aintree and Punchestown are at the forefront of Paul Nicholls' mind for Silviniaco Conti.

The nine-year-old failed in his quest to land the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton for a third successive year after he was pulled up by Noel Fehily.

Silviniaco Conti was reported unscathed after the race and could end up competing in the Crabbie's Grand National in the spring.

Nicholls said: "He was absolutely fine afterwards. He didn't come back distressed.

"Noel said he travelled well, but once they went past him he just didn't want to keep going.

"He hasn't had an easy run for reasons that are known (suffers with sarcoids).

"It was a different race this year as they were just right up behind him.

"We'll get him back for the spring. He will definitely have an entry in the National, then there is Punchestown.

"He will be back."