CHELTENHAM Gold Cup winner Coneygree's participation in the Hennessy at Newbury on Saturday week has been thrown into doubt after he pulled off a shoe on Monday.

Sara Bradstock, assistant to her trainer-husband Mark, is keeping her fingers crossed for a swift recovery with a weekend gallop judged crucial to Coneygree's plans.

She said: "He pulled a shoe, it didn't cause him any problems but we can't see if it's a bruised foot or if he's brewing an abscess.

"We're hoping for an abscess as the pus will seep out and he should be OK. If it's a deep-seated bruise, he might not make it (the Hennessy).

"If he misses his gallop at the weekend he won't run and for him to take part in that he would need to have a shoe on by Thursday."

Coneygree, who is owned by a syndicate of mostly Cotswold-based racefans, warmed up for his intended Newbury run with a win at Sandown earlier this month.

Coneygree is one of 35 horses still in contention for the Hennessy following the latest entry stage and would carry top-weight of 11st 12lb if lining up following the defection of Don Cossack.

Last season's Hennessy and Grand National hero Many Clouds has also been withdrawn, along with Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Annacotty.