Thistlecrack lined up for a race to savour
A MOUTHWATERING Betfair Chase looks in store on November 24 as trainer Colin Tizzard considers whether Thistlecrack should take on stablemate and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River and Might Bite.
The 10-year-old was heralded as the best chaser in training when winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton in 2016, but he has run only three times since. He was last seen trailing in fourth place behind Might Bite when defending his crown at Kempton on Boxing Day of last year.
Tizzard had hoped to see the gelding return in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby last Saturday, but withdrew due to fast ground in West Yorkshire.
Thistlecrack has handicap opportunities in the Bet-Victor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on December 1. He would have to concede weight in both races, but the Betfair Chase is the next option.
“We are not averse to running in the Ladbrokes Trophy off topweight,” said Tizzard. “But the owners would probably like to go to Haydock and take on Native River and Might Bite and all them.
“It was only 18 months ago he was the best horse around, then he had the leg problem after the Cotswold Chase and we were on the back foot last season.
“Now we’ve had a good run with him and at home he is as good as he’s ever been.
“It is his last season at the top, I’d say, and we have to make sure we get it right.”