King George VI Chase star Hewick ruled out of Cheltenham Gold Cup

The remarkable Hewick will miss Friday's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30), his trainer Shark Hanlon has revealed.

Hanlon walked the track on Thursday but felt conditions were too soft for the King George VI Chase winner. Hewick fell at the second-last fence in the race last year when well in contention.

The bargain buy was a 14-1 chance for the Gold Cup, behind 10-11 favourite and reigning champion Galopin Des Champs.

Hanlon said: "I've walked the track and I think it's too soft for him to do himself justice. We've said all along that he needs good ground to be at his best and we have to do the right thing by the horse. It's an awful shame as he's been flying, but there is nothing we can do about the weather.

"He's a horse of a lifetime, but he just needs decent ground and he's not going to get that on Friday. It's soft." 

Hewick's defection leaves 11 runners in the prestigious contest, which also includes Grade 1 winners Fastorslow, Gerri Colombe, L'Homme Presse and Grand National hero Corach Rambler.

The nine-year-old does hold a big-race entry in next month's Randox Grand National at Aintree, for which he is a 33-1 shot.

Alongside King George glory, the €850 purchase has also landed big-race victories in the American Grand National, Galway Plate and bet365 Gold Cup.

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