Fontwell hero to swerve Coral Cup
The World Hurdle had also been mooted as an option for the five-year-old son of Hard Spun in the wake of his Grade 2 victory at Fontwell last Sunday.
But King has hinted he may have a new plan, although the Wiltshire trainer is keeping his cards close to his chest.
He said: ‘He has eaten up and is sound as a pound.
‘I think we’ll have to draw a line through the Coral Cup.
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Hide Ad‘With the weight he will get, I think it would be an impossible task.
‘I can’t say much more but there might be something new that is in the equation.’
Lil Rockerfeller justified his position as 7/4 favourite for the £80,000 contest as jockey Trevor Whelan expertly guided him to glory.
King added: ‘It is fair to say it was his best performance.
‘If he had been beaten I would have been extremely unhappy.
‘What pleased me was the manner in which he did it.
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Hide Ad‘He is a very genuine and consistent horse that enjoys his racing.’
Ubak was a nine-length second for Fontwell favourite Gary Moore, who has not ruled out a tilt at the Coral Cup on March 16.
The West Sussex handler said: ‘He should run but if the ground comes up too quick I won’t risk him.
‘As the National Spirit is such a valuable race, it had been the plan to go back over hurdles and go for it.
‘He will go back chasing next season.’