Tizzard: Thistlecrack is as good as he ever was
All eyes will be on Thistlecrack today when Colin Tizzard’s King George Chase winner returns to the smaller obstacles for the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle, his first start since being ruled out of last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup a month before the race with the hint of a tendon injury.
It is an intriguing contest with last year’s winner, a race-fit U now ha time an harry having to give Thistlecrack, the 2015 winner of this race on the way to the staying hurdlers’ title but off the course for 10 months, 6lbs.
The two are the same age, nine, but have never met on a racecourse and have contrasting styles; Harry Fry’s prospect grinds it out though showed enough gears to win over 2½ miles at Aintree recently, while Thistlecrack cruises through his races with what appears consummate ease.
You could also make a case for the value being with Colin’s Sister, who beat Wholestone by two lengths on her reappearance at Wetherby, with Saturday’s Ascot winner Lil Rockerfeller a further 14 lengths behind, and takes on the boys for the first time.
It is not as though Thistlecrack has missed a full season, however, and Tizzard is pretty adept at getting his horses ready first time – his strike-rate of 20 per cent this season is at the higher end of the scale. He has made no secret of the fact that Thistlecrack has done plenty of work as well as enjoying a racecourse gallop.
“He couldn’t go to the King George without a run and there was nothing suitable over fences so this is the place to start,” said Tizzard yesterday.
“He was a very good hurdler anyway so it is ideal and I don’t think he’s any different to what he was then. On his last run over hurdles [when he won the Liverpool Stayers Hurdle by seven lengths] he was as good as any around. If we get beat we get beat, but I’m expecting a big run.”
2015 Gold Cup winner Coneygree, a 12-1 chance, heads the weights for the 21 horses declared for tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Trophy. Total Recall, trained by Willie Mullins is the 9-2 favourite.