Shropshire rowner John Hales reeling from star horse blow

Cosford-based businessman Hales said Al Ferof, who won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November, has damaged a tendon and will not run again this season.

Al Ferof, who was due to start as second-favourite in the Boxing Day race, was reported to have suffered a "small nick in a tendon", according to Hales.

He said: "We were all set for the King George, but things like this are part of the game. We don't know how he got the tendon injury, but that's him out for the season.

"We will obviously get him re-assessed by the vet, but you can bet your life the the King George and then the Gold Cup will be the plan in 12 months time.

"He's still a youngster and has age on his side. It's a big King George disappointment, but it's been a great 2012."

And it's a double blow for trainer Paul Nicholls, who has seen Big Buck's also ruled out for the season, the horse whose winning streak of 18 races is the longest in jump-racing history.

Big Buck's owner Andy Stewart suggested on Twitter his hurdler has suffered "a tiny tear" on a leg but added it was "ridiculously premature" to suggest that it may lead to the horse's retirement from racing.

Stewart also told of the "bizarre coincidence" that Al Ferof had been discovered to have suffered an injury during the same tour of the Ditcheat yard.

He said: "He was a little bit anxious in one of his legs at evening stables and after Clifford Baker, Nicholls' head lad, and the vet inspected him, we decided to draw stumps.

"When the horses come back in at the end of July we shall reassess the situation. If he still has that zest and sparkle, we will continue with him.

"But if he hasn't got that zest and sparkle, he will be retired."