Silviniaco Conti gave trainer Paul Nicholls an eighth triumph in the William Hill King George VI Chase when outstaying Cue Card in the Christmas showpiece at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Cue Card looked likely to win when he held a good lead early in the straight, but he emptied under Joe Tizzard between the last two fences.

That gave Noel Fehily the incentive on Silviniaco Conti (7-2) to grab Cue Card and go away after the last to win by three and a half lengths.

The winner’s stablemate Al Ferof was third, 11 lengths away.