Silviniaco Conti and Zarkandar to stay with Nicholls

Silviniaco Conti and Zarkandar, two of the stalwarts of the Paul Nicholls yard, will remain with the champion trainer and not go to the sales as had looked likely.

Nicholls' assistant trainer Harry Derham broke the news on Twitter yesterday, when saying: "Thrilled to announce that Silvinaco Conti & Zarkandar will stay @PFNicholls and not go to the sales. Brilliant news for team Ditcheat."

He later told the Racing Post: "Paul finalised the arrangements today and he asked me to get the news out to let everyone know.