Injury put trainer in a Tizz

● Dorset handler was ‘hit for six’ by Thistlecrack blow

Colin Tizzard admits he was “hit for six” by Thistlecrack’s season-ending injury.

Speaking at a press day at his Dorset yard, Tizzard accepted he is still coming to terms with the fact his brilliant nine-yearold will not run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.

Thistlecrack was the antepost favourite for the race, but was on Tuesday ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a tendon injury.

“When I saw him on Tuesday morning, it was not great at all,” said Tizzard. “We scanned him, and the realisation he was out hit me for six. I thought I was stronger than that.”

The long-term prognosis for Thistlecrack is positive, though, with his trainer already plotting a return to Kempton over Christmas for a repeat bid in the King George VI Chase.

Tizzard said: “The good part is you could walk into the stables now and not know what leg it is [he injured].

“We’ve got to enjoy what he’s done this year and hopefully we’ll get him back for Christmas, and hopefully he can do it all again.

“We trotted him out [yesterday morning] and he was sound as a pound.

“It’s not life-threatening. He’s only out for the season, so we’ve got to move on.” Meanwhile, Graeme Mcpherson expects Ami Desbois to outrun his price in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.

The seven-year-old has won three times this season but has arguably run his best races in defeat.

He was beaten a length by Wholestone at Cheltenham in December, while he was also third to Messire Des Obeaux in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

“He’s in top form, I’m really, really looking forward to running him,” said Mcpherson.

“If it’s quick ground then a couple might be too quick for him, but on soft ground it will take a very good one to beat him.

“He’s got form with Wholestone and West Approach that ties in very closely and he’s three times the price of them.

“He’ll run his race. If it’s good ground he might be in the first six, or if there’s some cut I really think he could go close.”

Wild West Wind is entered for the National Hunt Chase at the Festival and a win in the Andrew West Memorial Chase at Exeter would surely see him on his way to the Cotswolds in three weeks’ time.

He has won each of his two chase starts this term, opening with a wide-margin success at Wincanton in January before following up at Hereford earlier this month.

The first two finished well clear of the rest that day as Wild West Wind made light of a 12lb hike and he looks a thoroughly progressive individual.