Coneygree, last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, has been ruled out of the King George Vi Chase and may have to miss the rest of the season due to injury.

The 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 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.

Sara Bradstock, wife of trainer Mark, told the Racing Post: "Coneygree won't run in the King George having sustained a new injury. He's being assessed by vets this morning."

The injury is not thought to be career-threatening, but could call time on a season which would have culminated in a second bid for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.