Brennan full of confidence

PADDY BRENNAN, attempting a second victory on Cue Card in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, believes Thistlecrack will need to be the best horse he has ever seen to beat him.

“If Cue Card runs up to his best and Thistlecrack still beats us, I will never have ridden against, or seen, a better horse,” said Brennan (pictured on Cue Card).

“I genuinely believe that. And that includes horses like Kauto Star and Denman, who I know all too well from my Imperial Commander days.

“OK, Thistlecrack may not have to run to the level of form that Kauto Star did when winning one or two of his King Georges – though he may have to.”

Colin Tizzard, who trains both Cue Card and Thistlecrack, cannot split the pair.

“If Thistlecrack can come out best given his inexperience he will have to be one of the best we have seen in a long while,” said Brennan.

“Cue Card has an official mark of 176 but I am sure his best performances can be rated higher and nearer 180, so it will be one hell of a feat from Thistlecrack if he can beat us.

“Racing can be a great leveller and if we are beaten then so be it. But I will be going out there thinking I am on the best horse and not expecting defeat. I can’t wait.”

Tizzard said: “I always say in a race like this if you’ve two runners, you’ve twice as much chance of winning. “They are the two at the head of the market, so let’s have it.”