Last year’s King George winner now as big as 14/1 for the Gold Cup in March
Favourite in the ante-post market for the Gold Cup this morning, Colin Tizzard’s superstar novice from last season ended the day as low down as seventh on the list after a disappointing reappearance at Newbury on Friday.
Sent of the 11/10 favourite for the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle, the multiple Grade 1 winner was ultimately well beaten into fifth, beating just one of his rivals home.
Having his first run for 307 days following a season-ending tendon injury earlier in the year, the nine-year-old travelled with exuberance through the first circuit before eventually tiring up the home straight.
Tizzard said after the race: "Before the race he did look burly and I think he ran like that," he said. "He ran a little bit fresh and I think we were absolutely right coming here before the King George. He's a big heavy horse and just found it hard in the last two furlongs.
"As long as he comes out sound tomorrow we shall be going to the King George."
Bookmakers were less than impressed it seems pushing him out from 7/2 to as big as 10/1 in places for the Grade 1 at Kempton. It was a similar story in the Gold Cup betting with one firm now offering 14/1.
Following Friday’s race, 36.27% of all ante-post bets through Oddschecker have been on new King George favourite Might Bite who is now as short as 13/8.
