King George and Gold Cup betting shake-up as Coneygree ruled out
Published:
David Metcalf | December 16, 2015
There has been a major shake-up in the betting for the King George VI Chase and 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup following the news that Coneygree has been ruled out for the season.
Mark Bradstock’s stable star, who back in March became the first novice to land the Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974, is reported to have fractured both hocks.
The injuries are not thought to be career-ending, but time has been called on a season which would have culminated in Coneygree defending his crown on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Don Cossack and Vautour shorten for King George
As a result of the shock news, Don Cossack is now 9/4 favourite with Coral for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Fellow Irish raider Vautour is next best in at 3/1, whilst the Colin Tizzard trained Cue Card is 4/1 and the shortest priced of the home team.
Silviniaco Conti, who won the race in 2013 and 2014, is attracting plenty of support and into 7/1 to land the hat-trick for Champion trainer Paul Nicholls
Djakadam now Gold Cup favourite
The Willie Mullins trained six-year-old ran a blinder to finish a 1 1/2 length runner-up to Coneygree in the race last season, and looked better than ever when making an impressive return to action in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown earlier in the month.
Don Cossack remains unchanged at 5/1, and shares second favouritism with Djakadam’s stablemate Don Poli. Vautour, who is also trained by Mullins, is next best in at 7/1.
Former Ryanair Chase winner Cue Card can be backed at 10/1 to see off a formidable Irish challenge, whilst impressive Hennessy winner Smad Place is 14/1 with Coral to become the first grey to win the race since Desert Orchid back in 1989.
Related
Check out Coral’s Cheltenham section for all the latest ahead of the 2016 Festival.
