O'Neill not keen on Newbury bid

Leading Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup fancy Keen Leader looks set to be an absentee from the big race next Saturday.

A top staying novice last season, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained seven-year-old is 6-1 joint-favourite for the Newbury showpiece with some bookmakers.

But O’Neill said: “He’s very doubtful. In fact, I’d definitely say no, but I need to speak to the owner.

“I don’t want to run him with top-weight first time out.

“We’ll probably look at the Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow (on December 6) or something in Ireland.”