Assistant trainer Sara Bradstock has confirmed connections have decided to not run Coneygree in Saturday’s Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.

The 11-year-old has not raced since December 2 but he was set for a run in the 3m 1f contest at Prestbury Park.

He was set to take on the likes of Alpha Des Obeaux, Bristol De May, Definitely Red and Tea For Two but connections are now planning to run him at Newbury next month.

Coneygree, who won the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2015, has been pulled up on his last two starts at Wetherby and Newbury and he has since undergone a wind operation.

Although he has impressed on the gallops, the heavy ground has proved to be the deciding factor for Bradstock and co.

She told Press Association Sport: “We’ve decided we’re not going to run on Saturday.

“It was always going to be tight after the wind op and especially with the way the ground is, so we’ve decided we’ll wait for Newbury (Denman Chase).

“Newbury is only two weeks away (February 10), so we don’t have long to wait – I’m delighted with him. We just don’t want to rush him back and run on horrible ground.”

The bay gelding is still entered in the Gold Cup for this year’s Festival in March and he is 41.00 to win on the final day.

Might Bite is the current 4.50 favourite after his recent displays, with last year’s winner Sizing John 8.00.