Silviniaco Conti will not defend his Betfair Ascot Chase title later this month, with Paul Nicholls pointing towards Aintree as his next possible target.

Entries are revealed today for the £150,000 Betfair Ascot Chase, the richest Grade One contest of the Jump season run at Ascot Racecourse, and staged in 2017 on Saturday, February 18, Betfair Ascot Chase Day

Cue Card is the main attraction among 14 entries for the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

Paul Nicholls is optimistic Silviniaco Conti still has the ability to capture another big prize before the curtain comes down on his glittering career.

Thistlecrack fully deserved all the praise that was heaped on him after his impressive King George victory on Boxing Day, a remarkable performance given he had only made his debut over fences two months earlier.