King loses smart chaser

English trainer Alan King has been dealt a blow with the loss of classy chaser Toto Toscato.

The gelding was sent to Martin Pipe on Monday on the wishes of owner, Sir Stan Clarke.

King was assistant to David Nicholson at Jackdaws Castle before taking charge of the stable and eventually moving to his current base at Barbury Castle, in Wiltshire.

'The horse was picked up yesterday and I`m obviously very disappointed, I was just starting to get him ready to run,' King said today.

'The owner wanted a top-class jockey and I couldn`t guarantee that, especially with Richard Johnson being injured. If he sends the horse to Martin Pipe he will be able to use Tony McCoy and that`s the thinking behind it.

'It`s a blow but these things happen in racing.'

Toto Toscato last appeared on a racecourse when third to Lord Noelie in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham in March 2000.

Injury kept the seven-year-old off the track for the whole of last season.

On a happier notefor King, top novice prospect Gola Cher is set to make his chasing bow at Chepstow on Saturday after bypassing an engagement today at Warwick.

'The ground would have been too firm for him at Warwick but I would certainly like to run him at Chepstow,' he reported.

'He`s done everything that we`ve asked him too and I`m looking forward to getting him on the track - I`m bloody nervous too!'