CONEYGREE could still tackle the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury on December 2, despite suffering a minor injury when pulled up in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, trained by Mark Bradstock at Letcombe Bassett, sustained a nasty overreach – an injury which involves the hind foot striking into the front heel.

Connections believe the ten-year-old, whose career has been littered with injuries, suffered his latest setback when having to guess at the third fence due to being blinded by the low sun.

It is thought his overreach came at the next obstacle, and Coneygree was pulled up by Nico de Boinville before the tenth fence.

While the injury is not too serious, the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 25 has been ruled out, but the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase, formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup, may still be on the agenda.

Bradstock’s wife, Sara, said: “It’s a slice into the bulb of his heel and before we have him jumping again, we will have to make sure it’s not hurting him.

“That can take three or four days or in the worse situation three to four weeks.

“It’s not a long-term thing at all. He won’t be entered for the Betfair as that would come too quick, but hopefully we might still get to the Hennessy.”

Meanwhile, Didcot-based jockey George Baker has announced he will not ride again after he suffered severe head injuries in a fall at a meeting on the frozen lake at St Moritz in February this year.

The 35-year-old has ridden more than 1,350 winners in a career spanning 18 years and partnered his first Classic winner in the 2016 St Leger at Doncaster aboard Harbour Law.

Baker said: “Whilst my recovery is going well, I have been thinking about the future and in consultation with Dr Jerry Hill at the BHA (British Horseracing Authority), have accepted it is not medically possible for me to come back to race-riding.

“I have not decided what my future holds, but I will continue with my recovery programme and get as well as I can.

“Although I will not be able to race-ride again, I consider myself extremely fortunate to be where I am now.”