Coneygree, last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, misses King George

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Coneygree will not run again this year and could miss the rest of the season through injury.

Mark Bradstock's brilliant eight-year-old, who looked so impressive on his return to action at Sandown in November, had been in the frame to run over Christmas in either the King George VI Chase at Kempton or in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

But trainer Mark Bradstock's plans have been derailed after his stable star suffered what is believed to be slab fractures in both hocks, with the injury not thought to be career-threatening.

Coneygree has been taken out of the ante-post betting for the Gold Cup in March and has gone to Newmarket for further veterinary assessment.

Sara Bradstock, the Oxfordshire trainer's wife and assistant, said: "He is injured and will not run in the King George or the Lexus. The Christmas run is out.

"I've just loaded him on to the horsebox myself and he on his way to Newmarket to be reassessed.

"He is in no distress and walked on to the box sound. The vets at Newmarket will have a good look at him and we'll see what they discover - it will be a day or two before we have any news.

"They'll probably scan him and we'll see what the extent of the damage is.

"We know the engine is there, but the long legs that serve him so well on the racecourse are a little bit fragile.

"Everyone knows I think the world of this horse, which is why we're being careful.

"There will be no corners cut. He will be back, but at this stage I can't tell you when that will be."

Coneygree missed an intended appearance in last month's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury after he suffered a foot problem, but Sara Bradstock said the latest setback was unrelated.

Coneygree's finest hour at Cheltenham saw him become the first novice to win the Gold Cup in 41 years, after Captain Christy in 1974.

He was ridden by Nico de Boinville, who said: "Obviously it is very disappointing, especially for the whole Bradstock team at home and connections, as he has been such a superstar horse.

"That's horse racing for you, it's what makes the good days worthwhile.

"All I know is that he will miss the King George and he is off to the vets in Newmarket as we speak for further assessment."