Egerton Avoids Gold Cup Temptation Charles Egerton still intends to run Darkness in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham rather than the Gold Cup - despite the enforced absence of titleholder Kicking King. Darkness has been introduced into the betting at 25-1 for the totesport-sponsored blue-riband prize following the news dual King George VI winner Kicking King has been ruled out through injury. The seven-year-old gelding is a best-priced 6-1 favourite for the SunAlliance, with Egerton confirming that race remains his main objective. Moreover, the Chaddleworth handler also revealed Darkness is unlikely to run again before the extended three-mile contest in March. 'I´ll probably go straight to Cheltenham with him,' said Egerton. 'He´ll be entered for the Gold Cup but I´m sure he´ll run in the SunAlliance.' Darkness has won his last three starts over fences, with his latest success coming in the Grade One Feltham Chase at Sandown on Boxing Day.? PA Sport
