Nigel Twiston-Davies today dismissed as 'ridiculous' Cheltenham Gold Cup quotes of just 20-1 for Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner King`s Road.
The trainer stressed it is odds against his mudlark even lining up for the race, given his dependence on soft going.
King`s Road soared up the Gold Cup market after ploughing through the mud to score by five lengths from Gingembre in the Newbury showpiece on Saturday, and is offered at 20-1 for next March`s race with Ladbrokes and William Hill.
But Twiston-Davies said: 'That is ridiculous. He is unlikely even to run as he will only go if it is a bog and it hasn`t been that for years and years.'
Chepstow on December 27 is a far more likely target for King`s Road, who emerged unscathed from Saturday`s big race.
'He will definitely run next in the Welsh National,' Twiston-Davies said. 'He`s fine this morning, absolutely 100%.'
But the trainer is convinced there is something amiss with Beau, who was chosenby stable-jockey Carl Llewellyn in preference to King`s Road in the Hennessy only to be pulled up two fences from home.
'Beau seems fine but I am sure there is something wrong with him,' Twiston-Davies said.
'Physically there is no outward sign but that was not his running - he was beaten too far out.'
Beau`s price for the Gold Cup has been pushed out to 8-1 from 11-2 by William Hill.
Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup: William Hill betting: 7-2 See More Business, 8-1 Beau (11-2), Cyfor Malta, 12-1 First Gold, 14-1 Florida Pearl, 16-1 Alexander Banquet, 20-1 Ad Hoc, Kings Road (40-1), 25-1 bar.
