Thistlecrack raring to go for Newbury, says Tizzard

Thistlecrack is reported in fine fettle as he gears up for a return to action at Newbury on Friday.

Last season’s King George hero has been sidelined since late January but trainer Colin Tizzard plans to run him in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle.

Thistlecrack claimed the three-mile Grade Two in 2015 and is poised for an intriguing clash with last season’s winner Unowhatimeanharry.

Tizzard said: “Thistlecrack has had a racecourse gallop and done a lot of work. He is fit.

“It is a prep-race for the King George but he will go there to race. This is a big ask, but he is a good horse.”

Meanwhile, Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’air heads a list of seven five-day confirmations for the Unibet Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s sixyear-old is set to face strong opposition on his seasonal debut, including Gordon Elliott’s talented mare Apple’s Jade. The winner of the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Apple’s Jade has already shown her well-being this term, with victory in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan earlier this month.

Should the five-year-old take her chance at Gosforth Park, she will try to avenge last year’s narrow defeat by Paul Nicholls’ charge Irving, who also took this prize in 2014.

Evan Williams has left in the progressive John Co nstable, while Flying Tiger, Katgary and Mirsaale complete the septet.

Also on Saturday, Coneygree is at the head of the weights for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday. The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, who was pulled up on his reappearance in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby after making an early mistake, must shoulder 11st 12lb in the big race.

The Willie Mullins trio of Childrens List, Pleasant Company and ante-post favourite Total Recall could all still run, but he has taken out Troytown faller Acapella Bourgeois.