THE news broke on Wednesday morning that Coneygree, winner of this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, will not run again this year and could miss the rest of the season through injury.

Mark Bradstock's brilliant eight-year-old, who looked so impressive on his return to action at Sandown in November, had been in the frame to run over Christmas in either the King George VI Chase at Kempton or in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

But Bradstock's plans have been derailed after his stable star suffered what is believed to be slab fractures in both hocks, with the injury not thought to be career-threatening.

Coneygree has been taken out of the ante-post betting for the Gold Cup in March and has gone to Newmarket for further veterinary assessment.

Sara Bradstock, the Oxfordshire trainer's wife and assistant, said: "He is injured and will not run in the King George or the Lexus. The Christmas run is out.

"I've just loaded him on to the horsebox myself and he is on his way to Newmarket to be reassessed.

"He is in no distress and walked on to the box sound. The vets at Newmarket will have a good look at him and we'll see what they discover – it will be a day or two before we have any news.

"They'll probably scan him and we'll see what the extent of the damage is.

"We know the engine is there, but the long legs that serve him so well on the racecourse are a little bit fragile.

"Everyone knows I think the world of this horse, which is why we're being careful.

"There will be no corners cut. He will be back, but at this stage I can't tell you when that will be."

Coneygree missed an intended appearance in last month's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury after he suffered a foot problem, but Sara Bradstock said the latest setback was unrelated.

Coneygree's finest hour at Cheltenham saw him become the first novice to win the Gold Cup in 41 years, after Captain Christy in 1974.

He was ridden by Nico de Boinville, who said: "Obviously it is very disappointing, especially for the whole Bradstock team at home and connections, as he has been such a superstar horse.

"That's horse racing for you, it's what makes the good days worthwhile.

"All I know is that he will miss the King George and he is off to the vets in Newmarket as we speak for further assessment."

On a brighter note, Catterick raced on Tuesday and Abbie McCain enjoyed her first career success in only her second race under Rules when romping home on Danceintothelight in the racinguk.com Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle.

The 16-year-old made most of the running aboard the 11-8 favourite, trained by her father Donald and owned by her mother Sian, to win unchallenged by 27 lengths.

The 7lb claiming amateur had finished second on the same horse on her racecourse debut at Ludlow five weeks ago.

She said: "It was amazing. He just jumped so well and travelled like a dream.

"He picked up when I asked him to, better I than expected him to.

"He seemed to really enjoy it and was pinging his hurdles. It's best to let him do his own thing and he jumped really well.

"I'm hoping to point-to-point through the winter and ride in amateur races as I've got another year in school, then I'm staying on to do A-levels.

"I'll just ride when I can."

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards take place on Sunday evening and racing fans are in for a treat as it has been revealed that Tony McCoy will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

McCoy, who rode 4,348 British and Irish jumps winners before retiring in April, will be presented with the trophy at the SSE Arena, Belfast, live on BBC1.

The 41-year-old, who was born in Northern Ireland, said: "To be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award is a big highlight of what has been an incredible year. It's a huge honour and I'm thrilled to be accepting it so close to home in Belfast. I'm looking forward to what will be a very special night."

McCoy was named Sports Personality of the Year after winning the Grand National on Don't Push It in 2010, the only time a jockey has claimed the BBC award. Three years later, after surpassing the milestone of 4,000 jumps winners, he took third place.

Barbara Slater, BBC Sport director, said: "A previous Sports Personality of the Year winner and widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of all time, AP was the biggest superstar of racing until his retirement. It's an honour to celebrate his illustrious career here in Belfast, Northern Ireland, his home nation, with the Lifetime Achievement Award."