Native River is likely to just have one run before a tilt at the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Colin Tizzard's six-year-old followed up his promise from last season when winning the Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday.

The Welsh National over Christmas was mooted as a possibility, but he will be given a break before being prepared as a third viable Tizzard contender for the Gold Cup, along with Thistlecrack and Cue Card.

Owner Garth Broom told At The Races: "We were so delighted (at Newbury). I said during that the day that I was dreaming and to wake me up.

"He had the perfect prep at Wetherby. It was quite a hard race but obviously brought him on.

"He's one that when you ask him for a bit more he keeps finding. I hope he continues to do so.

"I think the aim is the Gold Cup and we'll find a race in between. He'll have a good break now because you don't have an easy time of it in the Hennessy.

"A lot of people forget he was the youngest in the race, he's only six. Some have said the Grand National but he's got to mature.

"He won't be out this side of Christmas. We'll try and find something in the spring and we've got to go for the Gold Cup.

"He's still got to find some improvement but as a six-year-old you hope it's there."