Thistlecrack flops on return

ThisTlecrack’s odds for the king George Vi chase have been pushed out after a 13- length defeat yesterday behind 40- 1 winner Beer Goggles in the long Distance hurdle at Newbury.

Trainer colin Tizzard and jockey Tom scudamore insisted they were not deflated by the run, which saw the nine-yearold beat only one of his five opponents. last year’s winner Unowhatimeanharry finished second, beaten two and a quarter lengths.

coral make Thistlecrack 6-1 to win the Boxing Day chase at kempton for a second successive season, with ladbrokes 8-1. Yesterday’s race was the first for Thistlecrack since January, after he suffered a minor tendon injury.

he travelled strongly on the heels of richard Johnsonridden Beer Goggles and three hurdles out he seemed about to throw down a challenge. But in a few strides, Thistlecrack’s race was run.

having looked a touch burly before the race, Tizzard’s belief that he needed to get a run into Thistlecrack before the king George appeared justified.

But the scale of his defeat does leave a question mark over whether the monster galloper of 2016 is still firing on all cylinders. The answer will only be provided in the king George.

Tizzard said: ‘as long as he is sound tomorrow, nothing has been lost. For the first two anda-half miles, you thought he was going best of the lot. he just needed the run.’

scudamore added: ‘ he just got tired from the second last but i am pleased with him. he felt the same as ever. The ability is still there. You could see he is still a class horse. i am not discouraged at all.’

The defeat of 11-10 favourite Thistlecrack overshadowed the biggest win in the career of Beer Goggles’ trainer richard Wollacott, who has 15 horses in his Devon stable.