Henderson is wary of Silviniaco

NICKY HENDERSON believes Silviniaco Conti is the major obstacle in Bobs Worth’s defence of his Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup title.

The pair went toe-to-toe in the blue riband last ter m, but the Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti crashed out three fences from home when seemingly primed to challenge.

He tasted defeat on his return at Haydock this year but following his King George triumph at Christmas, Henderson expects him to be the main rival to Bobs Worth.

He told Racing UK: “Bobs Worth was the best horse last year. Silviniaco Conti did fall when you would have to say he would have been first or second.

“He’s (Silviniaco Conti) been in great form this year, so he would almost certainly be the horse I’d be the most frightened of and I think the one plus we do have is that the Cheltenham hill plays to Bobs strengths and he loves it.”

Bobs Worth was initially disappointing on his seasonal bow at Haydock but roared back to form with victory in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

He will have a fresh adversary in Irish Hennessy winner Last Instalment this time and jockey Barry Geraghty is wary of the threat he poses to Bobs Worth.

“I was fairly conf ident we’d see more of Bobs Worth’s old self at Leopardstown and he was good,” said Geraghty.

“He seems well at home, he’s worked great and I’d be fairly hopeful.

“He (Last Instalment) has obviously been held up with injury, but I love the horse and I’d be very fearful of him.

“He jumps, he travels, and he’s a big, strong horse.

“He’s a Denman/Kicking King-type model — he’s a big beast.”

Noel Fehily gets the leg up on Silviniaco Conti and he has plenty of respect for both Bobs Worth and Last Instalment.

“The King George was a great race with no hiding place,” Fehily told Betfred TV.

“I wouldn’t have a problem about the hill. He’s very balanced, he’s not over big so going up and down hills shouldn’t be a problem.

“Last year he just got a little bit keen and for whatever reason just ran into the bottom of the fence and it just caught him out.

“He’s a sound jumper and hasn’t made a mistake in two runs this year, so I wouldn’t worry about his jumping.

“Bobs Worth is a worthy favourite, his form at Cheltenham is very good.

“Last Instalment just jumped a fraction to his right the last day I thought and all his form is on flat tracks.

“To win a Gold Cup is a dream, you grow up watching racing and it’s the race everyone wants to win.”

Last Instalment may be rated as a major danger, but a late decision on his participation will be made as he must h ave some g ive in the ground.

“They watered on Wednesday night and the fog on Thursday morning will all help keep the moisture in,” said trainer Philip Fenton.

“We are keen to run, we want to run, but we’ll do what is best for the horse.

“I imagine we’ll make a decision around 11.30am on Friday.”

Picture: Getty Images. Barry Geraghty rides More Of That to victory in the 3.20 at Cheltenham yesterday.