Trainer Nicky Henderson hopes Trabolgan can return to the track in time for next year's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup - despite his star being ruled out of the Stan James King George VI Chase at Sandown on St Stephen's Day.

The Hennessy Gold Cup hero was found to have suffered "mild changes" within the tendon-fibre pattern to his near fore following a scan at 4pm yesterday afternoon.

Henderson was deflated by the news, but has not given up on the seven-year-old making a comeback in the Cheltenham feature on March 17th. "We had a concern over the weekend with Trabolgan, which obviously comes back to his great victory in the Hennessy," Henderson said.

"It was not immediately obvious and I was perfectly happy with the horse prior to this weekend. But an ultrasound scan this afternoon has revealed some very mild changes within the tendon-fibre pattern of his near fore.

"The horse will continue gentle exercise and this will be reassessed in two to four weeks' time when a decision will be made whether it would be prudent to continue a preparation towards the Gold Cup. But sadly, we have to conclude that the King George is now not an option."

Trabolgan thrust himself firmly into the Gold Cup picture last month when he defied top-weight to record an outstanding two-and-a-half-length success in the Hennessy. Moreover, the King's Ride gelding has won five of his 12 starts and has finished in the top two placings in every race he has completed to date, including a three-length success in the Royal and SunAlliance Chase at the Festival. "It is a bitter pill to swallow and (owner) Trevor Hemmings and his manager Mick Meagher are fully conversant with the situation," added the Seven Barrows handler.

"Obviously this is a blow and a worry to us all and only amplifies the highs and lows of racing. The one thing we have to appreciate is that this is still a very young horse and it goes without saying his future is the only thought in our mind at the moment. "But this does not necessarily yet rule him out of the Gold Cup at this moment."

Henderson stressed a decision on his withdrawal from the race was only made after the result of veterinary surgeon James Maine's scan yesterday afternoon. He said: "The occurrence of this problem has literally only occurred in the last three days and I have only been able to comment after the scan. Any future developments will be closely monitored and reported.

"In the meantime, Corky (Brown), my head lad, and my team will continue to work on what at this moment would be described as maybe a significant, but as yet a mild problem. We will expect to be able to give further news around about Christmas."

Henderson was also quick to offer words of consolation to Trabolgan's regular jockey Mick Fitzgerald, who made a fairytale return to the saddle from a serious neck injury with victory in the Hennessy. "It is such a blow for Mick, especially after his big-stage return in the Hennessy, where both he and the horse deserved to be," said Henderson.

"Things have now been clouded, but only clouded for the time being as far as the Gold Cup is concerned."

Although Fitzgerald was rocked by the horse's withdrawal, the Irish rider echoed Henderson's belief that Trabolgan's Gold Cup hopes should not be cast aside just yet. He said: "Two of my biggest wins have come on the horse. It is a major blow for Trevor Hemmings, and also for everybody else involved in the horse.

"They include Nicky, Corky and Sarah that looks after him, but if the horse is in their hands I know he is in capable ones and hopefully it will just be a minor blip and away we go for the Gold Cup. He is only a young horse and Nicky and Corky are past masters at getting horses back to the track after a slight problem."