Thistlecrack world hurdle

I'd take issue slightly on two counts - though I'm not trying to overstate the actual form of the race - the proximity of the third and the fourth was only due to TS holding on to Thistlecrack until they approached the final hurdle - the commentator said as they approached the final hurdle that there were plenty in with a chance and then about 10 seconds later found himself saying words to the effect that it was just a matter of how far he wanted to win.

Secondly, he put to bed the lingering doubt that he might not act on the track.

He beat one of the worst fields yesterday for a 3mile race in a long time,not his fault. The strength of his form is his twice thrashing of last years winner and the weakness of rivals, if CH gets close to him at the festival then we are looking at handicappers and i think Thistlecrack can improve again.

Still enjoying reading the posts about Thistlecrack not acting at cheltenham on his one run when ridden by an amateur.

I don't think anyone is saying Cole harden is running for fun! If you look at his form last year he was well beaten around Xmas time only to run much better in the spring. And us backers are taking the view he comes good that time of year and as last year's winner he deserves to be in with a shout! One thing I have learned through the last 10 years is that previous festival form goes for a fair bit as many a time seen the same old faces comes to life when upto then there form that season has looked none to clever! He could be beat coming to the last but that's the gamble and I'm happy to stick with mine for now but not saying I could have a saver on something else come the day! As think it looks a good race this year.

Charlie Longsdon's star hurdler Kilcooley faces a race against time to be fit for the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since running away with the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby in late October.

Longsdon had hoped to have his charge back in action in this weekend's Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he is not yet ready to make his return.

Longsdon said: "He was meant to go to the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday but he has had a few problems.

"He had a haematoma on a point of his hip, which meant he missed the Long Walk, and then he pulled a muscle a few weeks ago.

"We have seven weeks to get him there (Cheltenham) and if we don't get any hiccups and get a clean run he will go, but the chances he makes it are 50-50

"If he gets to Cheltenham he is the forgotten horse in the race, even though he is a 25-1 shot.

"There is always Aintree, Punchestown and France if he doesn't get there."

Cole Harden is a completely different horse in the spring on decent ground..
Wonder how Thistle will fare against the champ on decent ground??

An awful lot of his form is on soft and heavy.
Anyone who thinks the Newbury form is a clear pointer to how these two fare against each other,need to rethink imo.

Bud Thistlecrack and vvm will be all over him hard held on the bridle  2 out, and I expect nothing less than Thistlecrack to power away from vvm  up the hill.
Where Cole garden finishes I have no idea, but it won't be within 8 lengths of thistlecrack I'm certain of that.

we shall see,I think you are way out......unless it's soft ground.

Thistlecrack isn't a soft ground horse, hes had no option but to run on soft ground in 2 of his races this season. The long walk was good to soft and he gave a decent field a mighty beating.

We could go on all day here.
Let's just see what happens on decent ground in March....if we get it!!

And just to remind you whether that was the real form of Cole harden or not, Thistlecrack was gross unfit on his return and Colin tizzard said he would come on massively for the run.

We will just need to wait and see who wins on the day. But you very rarely see horses winning any of the big 4 races on the bridle especially the world hurdle it usually goes to the hard as nails grinders that can go at it a fair bit out! Look how many times big bucks looked ripe to be picked off from horses but never panned out even heard McCoy saying that yesterday. But all we can do now is wait and see... Well done to anyone who is on thistlecrack at big prices but he ain't no big bucks yet and even money is not for me in a decent looking renewal this year as the likes of Prince of scares for example are just one of the Irish that are in with a live shout. So like I said good on anyone who has a decent price but even money shot.... Not so sure this year

RDS was beaten 30 lengths last March,beaten much less in December.yes RDS loves Ascot but he has run well at Cheltenham as well in the past.
Not saying that points to what will happen in March,but it does say how much better CH is when conditions suit.
Also not saying Thistle is a soft ground horse,just that most of his good stuff has been on soft or worse.
I know CH loves decent ground,I don't know Thistle does.
Of course it may be that Thistle is simply a better horse,but I don't think it's a given,as you seem to do.

We shall find out in March.

oh yes black,Prince of Scars and Alpha des beaux are no back numbers.

Yeah buddie they 2 are not without a chance! I know gigginstown are going to throw everything they have that's in with a chance in the gold cup! But wonder if they will do they same with they 2 or keep one fresher for the other festivals!? As no doubt you will have heard many pundits etc say alpha was up going aswell as thistlecrack at Aintree last year! All ifs and buts right now but it is certainly looking a more deeper race than it has been for a few years! I wouldn't mind having a thistlecrack slip with 4's on it right now but not evens lol really looking forward to this race.

Personally the best form Thistlecrack has shown was at aintree on good ground.

He was nip and tuck with Alpha Des Obeaux until that one came down at Aintree. I'd say his best performance would be his win at Ascot where Reve De Sivola would have liked it softer but does run his best race of the season usually.

the words straws, clutching and at come to mind when reading these comments about Cole Harden and better spring ground.
the ground was decent for thistlecracks ascot win last time and at aintree.
he's just a very very good staying hurdler.
it wasn't clear in post race interview but i thought tizzard said no when it was mentioned about possibly going chasing one day?

Yeh,to be fair he has shown he can perform on decent ground albeit at a lesser level of company.
I still wonder which surface suits him best as to winning the top races.
Maybe it makes no difference and if that is the case he's a worthy fav......well his form this season says that anyway.
I hope it's decent ground in March,and it suits CH better.

It's one of those races where there may be little point seeking to beat him but the price isn't attractive enough to back him. They have to price up every race. That's one of our few advantages.

it's not straw clutching.
It's a fact that CH wants decent ground.

I think his best piece of form was getting close to KV at punchestown....at least that was against a now horse on song.

Cole Harden had a wind op before his World Hurdle last year, which is why there was massive improvement.  Now that his wind is sorted, he should have been running to a much higher level this year than he has.

I had doubts about Thistlecrack earlier in the year, and said them on this thread, but I definitely don't any more. 

Ability to handle Cheltenham is now is now answered
I said Martello Tower hadn't ran yet, and he was a good AB winner - he's now ran twice and beaten twice
Windsor Park hadn't run, and now he's not even entered in the WH

I now consider Thistlecrack a rock solid fav, with the biggest threat coming from Alpha Des Obeaux.  I'm hoping the wind op for Saphir de Rheu will bring out similar improvement as it did for Cole Harden last year, but I admit that's a very long shot.

Chief,
Don't ignore his trainers comments and the fact he's a different horse on decent ground.......it is hugely important for Cole Harden.
Agree re ADO,I was really taken with that last run and pressed the button straight after that.

Declaration of interest: I have backed ADO.

Rationale: Upsides Thistlecrack at Aintree when he fell at the last. Pretty sure Thistlecrack would have won anyway but given their proximity at the last and how well ADO stays I would estimate there would have been a couple of lengths between them at most.

At Aintree, ADO was having only his fifth ever run. A five year old then, two years younger and less experienced than Thistlecrack, I would expect substantial improvement by ADO in the intervening period. Think he will be better on decent ground (if not too quick). Trainer is a proven Festival winner who knows how to time them for the big day.

Not saying he will reverse placings with Thistlecrack but thought he was an outstanding each-way bet when I backed him.

Thistlecrack is a gorgeous horse though and I wouldn't (pocket aside) be displeased to see him win.

Three mile hurdling is a very specialist division and there are very few top class contenders. That is why so many horses win the World more than once. Cole Harden is one to respect having won the race and his runs this season have been very much preps for the big day.  Thistlecrack seems to improve with every run (at least 20lb ahead of his runs at Aintree or Punchestown) and on soft or heavy he looks the biggest certainty of the Festival to me but on good ground CH might make it interesting.

I'm expecting a solid run from Cole Harden but don't think he'll be good enough to topple Thistlecrack. Even if he ran to last years World Hurdle form which is a possible but open to question, I still think he'll have to find half a stone. I fancy Thistlecrack to put up a performance somewhere in the region of 173 whatever the ground.

His Aintree romp on Good to Soft was fantastic, as was his close second to Killultagh Vic at Punchestown at the end of a long tiring season having had 7 runs in just over 4 months. He's answered every question put infront of him. As wellchief says rock solid.

Greatrex with a very upbeat report on Cole Harden on ATR this lunchtime.  Convinced we will see a different horse on good ground (albeit we are not guaranteed to get that ground).

Good luck to those with fancy prices on Thistlecrack, look a worthy and strong favourite.   But if you are new to the market would you rather back

Thistlecrack to win at 6/4
Cole Harden to place at over 2/1

? Thoughts

Yeah I'm on Cole harden like I have said a few times and also to place. The thistlecrack fans are right to be positive for the race in March! But I'm sticking with the current champion rightly or wrongly we shall find out soon now as we can now say it's next month now since its Feb now lol

Interesting question Swardean.

Im a big Thistlecrack fan and have backed him. Even at 13/8 I think he's an Ok price and a worthy fav. But I think its hard to argue that Cole Harden to place at a bigger price isnt the better value bet.

Thistlecrack to win at 6/4 anytime, why? Thistlecrack, on present known info, if turns up at the Festival will win; on the other hand Cole Harden's position in the market is solely on past reputation and not what he's shown this season, hence more likely not to run into a place; a few of the younger generation could also finish in front of him.

If (a big IF), the ground comes up firm/good there is a reasonable chance Camping Ground could nick a place I think.

I do have to wonder if people actually realise how important the ground is in this sport.

Just think it plain wrong to form an opinion on a horse's chances based on runs on unfavoured  ground.

Cole Harden could well be another Albertas Run, who only ever turned up for one race a year, but we won't know that until March.  You put your money down you take your chance.

I'd like to think there is a better one out there than Cole Harden personally.  I have zero financial interest in Thistlecrack, and may have a small ew on ADO.

I just think for the current champion of a Championship festival race, it's a bit poor to be running so far below his best throughout the year.  He hasn't been running in bottomless bogs, just normal winter soft ground.  I'd like to think winners of Champion Hurdles, World Hurdles etc should be able to run to a good level on any course and any ground.

I accept if one has preferred good ground, but for an alleged mid to high 160's horse, he should be able to at least put up a decent showing on something a bit softer.

With this horse though Chief...it's not just the ground,we are constantly told he's only one race in mind for him.
So ground plus we know he's spot on in March for me adds up to.....don't dismiss.

I was expecting that reply Budd
I suppose we won't really agree but good luck to you mate.  Not a race I'll really get involved in.

Yeh! I expect you were

I watched his race last year again the other day,Christ that was impressive,a repeat of that he ain't far away Imo.
No way are they the only two though,Alpha was bloody good the other day.
I think one of those three will win myself....are they the first 3 favs

Happy to have the two against the fav.

@budd you're right and in the words of Phil Bull: ground - the most important factor a punter should take into account

Last year when I saw CH performance in the Cleeve I wrote him off completely even though I had him marked as special after how long he stayed on with Faugheen in the Neptune, but this year it does appear the favourite could be a bit too good in the stayers division and again I can't see myself backing CH at single figure odds.. although I do have him in a few e/w multiples so hopefully he'll get back to form on better ground and snatch a place.

It is very difficult to look past the 'fav' regardless of ground - he's like a machine and goes on any ground - because he's come up trumps against seasoned campaigners in his field unlike those below him in the market eg VVM, CH, ADO (beaten a fair way by Prince of Scars), Nichols Canyon (more likely CH), etc.

I'd not hesitate to back him tomorrow or the weekend even at even money with the same field. I might even include him in a treble with Faugheen and Douvan.

Cole Harden's trainer does like talking him up (although in fairness he's entitled to and I thought the same last year and was proven wrong).

All Tizzard ever says is: 'he's a good strong boy' - like he's preparing a boxer for a title fight.

Is a supp expected? 96.8% on the exchange - that's a bit unusual unless some new runners are joining the party.

What price would thistlecrack be if trained by Mullins , or Nichols or Henderson, or pipe / king / Hobbs. Based on performance and domination of the opposition he should be well odds on.

if mullins trained my cat it'd probably be threes in a place

Willie running scared of thistlecrack??

VROUM VROUM MAG could still tackle the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, as Willie Mullins confirmed the race was a "possibility" for the exciting mare.

RELATED LINKS

Ryanair card 

With Vautour and Smad Place, the market leaders for the Ryanair, gunning for Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup glory, a hole has emerged at the head of the ante-post list and it is not out of the question Vroum Vroum Mag could fill it.

Discussing some of his runners for Cheltenham, Mullins said on Monday: "Vautour is a Gold Cup runner I'm sure, though I see he is favourite for both the Gold Cup and the Ryanair. 

"Vroum Vroum Mag is a possibility for the Ryanair. Mozoltov ran well on Sunday and might run in it too.

"Champagne Fever won't make the Ryanair and Felix Yonger might run in the Champion Chase. Valseur Lido might go to the Gold Cup."

Thistlecrack, big trainer = 8/11, a better proposition than either Faugheen and Douvan, why? A longer distance, over a smaller obstacle and no going concern whatsoever!

It certainly looks like Thistlecrack has scared off Willie.

If the race was run 10 times, how many do you think thistlcrack would win. There's the price ! At this moment I would say 8. -  5 is even money.

If all is well with Thistlecrack it will start odds-on on race day especially if the going is soft/heavy.

The WH this year looks very poor aside from the fav., it was heading that way last year and now it's taken another dive, that's the only problem with backing the fav at a short price (which I couldn't possibly do), he's the only decent horse in a hopeless contest and has beaten very much in relation to WH class, I'm not counting the admirable RDS, as a viable grade 1 stayer, even though it was at his "beloved" Ascot, come the day I'd be looking at something to out of the woodwork although I admit that the prospect of it is looking more and more unlikely.

No chance Thistlecrack starts odds on, any other festival possibly evs - 6/5 but not Cheltenham, the worlds strongest betting market. Just a quick look at opposition will tell you why it won't.

It will be one of laddies offers the week before at limited stakes at am guessing 2/1 if the same price as it is now, 6/4. If its evs the week before laddies will offer 6/4.

Got no crystal ball here, just trends and experiences of past festivals markets

STS for a tenner most probably?

The max stakes are usually £25 or £50 on them offers, occasionally £100 on the shorties. Dunno about anyone else but am quite happy with that level.

Cole Harden 15.5 on here, bit large?

Noticed he has drifted on here of late! Not heard any negative vibes so just looks like one of those things right now! Might be worth a back as will no doubt comeback into about 10?

Latest defectors

Briar Hill, Value At Risk, Karezak, Bitofapuzzle, Diamond King, Red Sherlock, Renneti, Activial, Simenon.

I said earlier on this thread, unless you are sitting on Thistlecrack at a nice price.   Coming to the market now, Thistlecrack at just over Evens or Cole Harden e/w at 8/1, is a no brainer.

WARREN GREATREX believes that Cole Harden will provide Thistlecrack with his biggest test when the pair clash in next month's Ryanair World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack is the 11-10 favourite to win this year's World Hurdle, but Greatrex is happy to be relying on Cole Harden, who can be backed at 8-1 to retain the crown he memorably won last year.

"We know we've performed at the highest level on the day and, although I'm wary of other horses, I wouldn't swap my fella. Whether we'll be good enough to beat Thistlecrack, I don't know, but it'll be his biggest test," Greatrex said.

He added: "Thistlecrack looks an impressive horse but he's been doing it on very soft ground. Has he ever taken on anything like Cole Harden on better ground?"

Million dollars

In an exclusive interview with the Racing Post, Greatrex said: "He looks a million dollars and I'm very happy with him. He's a stronger horse this year and we've been there and done it in the World Hurdle."

Cole Harden will arrive at Cheltenham as a fresh horse having last raced on New Year's Day, but Greatrex is happy with the horse's preparation.

"We're in exactly the right place where we want to be with the race a few weeks away.

"He ran in the Cleeve Hurdle last year and it was probably his worst-ever run so we missed it this time and didn't really consider another run for him, but he'll have another awayday at the racecourse after Kempton last week," the trainer said.

opposition looks very thin on the ground to me.

backed this horse last year several times but I'm laying for world hurdle due to below

a) the tizzard stable form has been very good all season so far - this has happened on multiple occasions in past with other stables and then we find they blow out at festival

b) the ground will be different from all other runs this season, although not too different from aintree last year, and not many produce their best form independent of conditions so very possible the improvement this year has been ground facilitated

c) no specific reason to doubt his jumping but horses who run up a sequence very often make a mistake at the festival so could be due one

d) not a fan of tom scu

e) the ratings improvement has not come from beating the main challengers

f) nicholls is more and more bullish on aux petits soins and i backed it last year as i do most of the saint des saints so fingers crossed

but GL to all

Just on point f there mate does it surprise you that Sam has picked sapphire over him? And I'm with Cole harden myself

The price is skinny I agree but the annihilation he gave to its competitors so far has been impressive and telling, 11/10 (nrnb) is justified, all things being equal.

He's the one shortie that I am not going to consider trying to get beat. I think he's different class.

i think STD had to go with the one with form in tbe book at the distance but i know which one i'll be backing in match bet..

yes fav has looked very good so far this term but even the good ones get beat, it's just a question of is it next time or not and for me there's enough factors in play to be a layer but for every layer theres a backer!

Thistlecrack is very straightforward so even Tom Scu can't get Thistlecrack beat. imo.

Aux Ptits Soins is very exciting but it's a massive ask, without a prep, given he's probably going to have to run to a high 160 rating to win it. Really looking forward to seeing him over fences next year.

Personally think APS might have to run to a bigger rating than that - Thistlecrack is 168 but there should be a Timeform p after that for me, not been remotely troubled in any of his wins this season - and so unfit at Newbury that his trainer nearly did n't run him.

Some of the others might improve for better ground, breathing op etc. but Thistlecrack might improve too - also seems to be going into the race off the back of a very smooth preparation which you can't say for all of his rivals.

Still, it's a horse race and anything can happen within reason.

Mar 3, 2016 -- 9:44AM, Gordon63 wrote:

backed this horse last year several times but I'm laying for world hurdle due to belowa) the tizzard stable form has been very good all season so far - this has happened on multiple occasions in past with other stables and then we find they blow out at festivalb) the ground will be different from all other runs this season, although not too different from aintree last year, and not many produce their best form independent of conditions so very possible the improvement this year has been ground facilitatedc) no specific reason to doubt his jumping but horses who run up a sequence very often make a mistake at the festival so could be due oned) not a fan of tom scue) the ratings improvement has not come from beating the main challengersf) nicholls is more and more bullish on aux petits soins and i backed it last year as i do most of the saint des saints so fingers crossedbut GL to all

Seems like your laying more in hope then facts by the points you've put up.

1- Hoping the Tizzards lose form, are you laying cue card also n that basis?

2-Has proved at Aintree and Punchestown that genuine good ground is no issue, against top class opposition and the 2nd fav for the WH.

3-Pure blind hope that as he hasn't made a mistake yet he's due to make one? Baffling that one.

4- Not a fan of the jockey, Barring punchestown (arguably not his fault way race panned out) Can't see on thing he's done wrong on the horse?

5- Beating REVE at ascot was impressive especially when look at his form since, He couldn't of beat them any easier. I think theres only 2 horses he hasn't beat that is favoured in the market? and he was well on top of one of them last year when it departed on GOOD ground.

6- SO you've picked all these holes in THISTLECRACK but then you finish it off my throwing your hat in with a horse that has more holes in it then a sass cheese? Got to improve like 20 odd pounds, hasn't run in over a year, has had problems, looks like main jockey for stable going elsewhere, hasn't beat any contender for the race. My point is I'm not saying he cant win but picking holes in a horse that isn't there and then finishing it up by putting up an animal who has a million legitimate concerns doesnt seem quite right.

swiss

one of them 'could be anything', is by my fav NH sire and is 14/16s and the other has had a great season and probably (?) peaked and is 11/10

i'm not hoping for any of the below to happen, only that there have been umpteen obvious winners heading into the festival who come unstuck for a variety of reasons and thistlecrack fits the bill

will be here on thursday 17th to check back with you, win or lose

i agree it could happen just feel like its more "in hope" than actual real reasoning  that people are taking the horse on with? I will be laying Annie power in the CH at this point and there is reasoning that can be backed up with facts.

There was this monster camping ground (not a monster) and then the cheltenham ? and he's basically just proven everything. Yea he could get beaten, but I'm not sure i see a fav at chelt with less question marks to his name, against a field that he has either slaughtered already or have huge ? marks against themselves.

Anyway as you say this game is all about opinions and i look forward to talking to you on the 17th, from a personal view hopeful after thistlecrack has won by 10 lengths on the steel lol

get the feeling thistlecrack could be a GC horse next year, wouldn't surprise me if stories reg him thrashing cue card on gallops leaked out at some point or other

Tizzard been asked about that, stated categorically that they don't work together, which makes absolute sense as you would n't want them risking leaving a race behind by taking each other on at home.

According to Gordon Elliot, if Thistlecrack was trained by WPM he'd be odds-on; Thistlecrack is also 20/1 with the Tote for the 2017 Gold Cup if anyone is interested - no doubt this price will be much reduced if 'strolling' to a win in the WH at Cheltenham.

monster, freak, force of nature, add your own superlatives here...

WOW.

The banker of the meeting goes in, what a horse. Wins as he likes

That was MAJESTIC!!!

well done backers, hope they keep him to hurdles..aux ptits soins will be some novice chaser..

Goodness. That was very good.

He won't be kept over hurdles, Tizzard has already said he's a gold cup horse and will win it as a novice next year

Should be interesting to see Douvan and Thistlecrack , battle it out for the Gold Cup next year, if TC jumps really well.

I m not saying he won't go for the gold cup, but once all the emotion and excitement from today's win has settled down a little. They've had a huge season with thistlecrack winning all the trials and the world hurdle itself and they've amassed a huge fortune, if they do go novice chasing then on to the Gold cup then fair play to them. But I wouldn't blame them what so ever if in 6 months time they decide to stay over hurdles and do it all over again next year.

He's 8 though so they need to find out whether he is as good a chaser as he is over hurdles - it was different with Big Buck's because he'd already tried fences before running up a sequence in the World Hurdle.

Tizzard has also said when asked about Thistlecrack's future that his stable is predominantly a chasing stable.

If Thistlecrack takes to fences as well as hurdles then he is a force to be reckoned with come CGC 2017 and possibly KG 2016; the current generation of jumpers excluding Coneygree could be past their best for these two races with the exception of Vautour.

Anyway, that is the future but today's performance was absolutely AWESOME, and the winner was never in doubt!

the best of all the great performances we've seen so far. he looked like he could go around again & still
not break sweat. he seems to have no weak points and, as mentioned , if he jumps the big ones he would be unstoppable.

Yes breathtaking performance.
Any World Hurdle horses that became top draw?
I can only think of a turkeys.

The way he took off in the final half furlong was like a sprinter, great performance.

Best World Hurdle performance I have ever seen.

Going over fences next according to Joe Tissard, son and assistant trainer to Colin Tissard - what a prospect!

mega performance and i certainly needed it. was my banker of the meet and now sitting pretty for the week. Phew!

agree @wellchief, shame that he goes chasing, it'll look a downgrade unless he wins the GC

Mar 4, 2016 -- 7:55AM, Gordon63 wrote:

one of them 'could be anything', is by my fav NH sire and is 14/16s and the other has had a great season and probably (?) peaked and is 11/10i'm not hoping for any of the below to happen, only that there have been umpteen obvious winners heading into the festival who come unstuck for a variety of reasons and thistlecrack fits the billwill be here on thursday 17th to check back with you, win or lose

your a man of your word. Ive just about finished celebrating. Great performance.

Timeform Timing Debrief shows that Thistlecrack covered the last three furlongs faster than Limini - the key difference being that he ran a mile further!

He's not been off the bridle since Punchestown last April, probably does n't even know that Scu's got a stick.

That novice hurdle form with ADO and Blaklion at Aintree last Spring and with Killultagh Vic and Shaneshill at Punchestown could look as good as the Al Ferof/Sprinter/Cue Card Supreme form in a couple of year's time.

Killultagh Vic must be some tool too, pity we did n't get to see him.

best world hurdle performance in a few years, probably better than big bucks best..now they've confirmed he's going chasing, look forward to clashes with aux ptits soins over fences

If they are serious and happy that he can jump they should run him in a couple of novice races and then aim for the top at the age of 8. I want to see him run in 3 gold cups at least.

Should have mentioned he carried 3lbs more than Limini too...

so if she can be targeted at a flat handicap at Ascot then...

...perhaps I am getting carried away but I honestly believe he'd have every chance of winning the Ascot Gold Cup never mind the Cheltenham one - it's not so far fetched when you think Rite Of Passage did it and they considered running Big Bucks' in it at one time (though not seriously).

He likes Ascot so there would n't be any speculation about whether he handles the track

National Hunt horse of the season and most impressive performer at this years Cheltenham festival. Can't wait to see how this fellow fares out as a chaser next season, serious engine.

^^^ without doubt.

Got better with every run and campaigned brilliantly. As much as I love Big Bucks and Inglis Server, Thistlecrack's performance on Thursday was on another level.

Just hope he can stay sound.

Right I'm stopping now, phone is doing my head in.

* Drever, not server!

Was amazing performance to leave ADO like he did. You got the impression all week MOUSE MORRIS thought he was going very close and his horse was special, he was right he was special but still couldnt lay a glove on THISTLECRACK. I just hope if it looks like it isnt going to work out over fences get him back over hurdles. I dont want to lose a great hurdler to become a decent fencer.

One of the two short favourites I was on, what a monster. Moment of the week goes to Sprinter Sacre but Thistlecrack undoubtedly the performance of the week. The thing is, he wasn't fully let go. He looks like he could have more improvement in him, is that possible?!

Never seen such a fast horse that stays so well. Incredible.

Let's just hope he's as good over fences, what a sight that will be

I wouldn't want to be against him in the Gold Cup next year