'I was beaten a long way from home' - Blackmore disappointed with Minella Indo

Rachael Blackmore was perplexed at Minella Indo's uncharacteristic flop in the King George VI Chase in which the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was pulled up in a race won by outsider Tornado Flyer.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old was the 100-30 second favourite for the three-mile Grade 1 and despite racing prominently in first-time cheekpieces in the early stages, he lost his position down the back straight on the second circuit and did not respond to Blackmore's urges.

Minella Indo was pulled up for the first time in his career before the third-last as his Irish-trained counterpart landed an easy victory at 28-1, and Blackmore was at a loss as to why he put in a poor performance.

Speaking immediately after the race, she said: "I was beaten a long way from home and there is no obvious excuse – I can't blame the ground or the track. It was just very disappointing."

Chantry House, who had been backed into 3-1 favouritism after a surge of support in the morning, was in trouble even earlier at the start of the second circuit and was pulled up down the back straight by Nico de Boinville.

However, trainer Nicky Henderson was adamant it was a one-off performance.

Henderson said: "He hated the ground, he hated the track, but he'll be fine. It was one of those days and you can forget about that performance."

Watch an absorbing King George showdown

Frodon tired in the closing stages to finish a 21-length fourth in an unsuccessful defence of his King George crown as he completed a 2-3-4 in the race for trainer Paul Nicholls, but regular partner Bryony Frost was proud of his effort.

"He's awesome and we had a fair crack at it. He's tried and gave everything he's got. The ground was very soft out there and I was cursing when the rain was coming down yesterday," she said.

"It was never going to be great for him, but it was too soft, which meant the race had more focus on staying power, which didn't suit us. I don't know where he could go next."

Asterion Forlonge appeared unscathed after falling at the final fence when in second – the fourth time he has failed to complete in his chasing career.

Read more:

28-1 Tornado Flyer denies Clan Des Obeaux in big King George upset

Lee Mottershead: Henderson is fearful for Shishkin after a day when the Tornado struck Kempton (Members' Club)

Expert Jury: 'Gold Cup quotes of 14-1 are a little insulting given Tornado Flyer's profile'

'Sometimes you've just got to keep going and hope' – 999-1 in-running stunner

Shades of Denman says Nicholls as 'mighty' Bravemansgame storms to victory

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