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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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.

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."

It certainly looks like Thistlecrack has scared off Willie.

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

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

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.

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?

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.