Tendon injury rules Thistlecrack out of Cheltenham Festival

COLIN TIZZARD hopes to have Thistlecrack back on a racecourse around Christmas time after a season-ending tendon injury saw him become the latest high-profile name to be ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival.

The dominant force in the staying hurdle division last year, the nine-yearold won his first four starts over fences, including a scintillating victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Despite suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of the ill-fated Many Clouds in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January, he remained at the head of the betting for the Timico Gold Cup on March 17, but will not line up at Prestbury Park.

Tizzard confirmed: “Thistlecrack is out for the season, unfortunately.

“He had a bit of heat in his leg and was a bit sore. We had the leg scanned and he has a slight tear on his tendon.”

“The vet said he should be absolutely fine by Christmas, to have him back on a racecourse by then.

“It’s not that we’re going to miss next season, but things change.

“I’m as sure as I can be that he should be fine for next season from Christmas on.”

The news comes as another huge blow to National Hunt racing’s showpiece meeting, with Thistlecrack joining the likes of Coneygree, Annie Power and Faugheen on the sidelines.

Jockey Tom Scudamore has ridden Thistlecrack to 10 of his 13 career victories, and said the news made him “feel sick”.

He said: “Joe (Tizzard) rang me on my way to the races and he just said he’d done a tendon and wouldn’t be going to Cheltenham. From what I gather he’ll be back next season, I’ve just been told he won’t make the Gold Cup.

“It’s something that happens in racing unfortunately. Look at Willie Mullins this season, he’s lost a handful.

“Still, it doesn’t make it easy to swallow. It makes you feel sick.

“It’s worse for the owners, John and Heather (Snook), and the lads that see him every morning.

“With good horses you want them to peak on the big days and that’s Cheltenham, fortunately we won there last year and the King George this season.

“Look at Olympians, they get their dreams shattered and have to wait four years.

“Hopefully we’ll get another chance next season.”