THISTLECRACK

An 11 year old winner......
That would break a few records as he completes his hat trick.
Good luck with him tomorrow.
I don't think any Stayers' hurdle winner has ever won a Gold Cup. Have any come close?
A very different discipline and he is, of course 8, which is another factor against, not that it stopped Coneygree.
But he does look to be a late developing freak and all things could be possible. I just think 6/1 is short enough for the Gold Cup. Even if he waltzes unblemished through three or four novice chases, the Gold Cup will be a completely different test.
Fascinating, though.

Hills go 6/4 about him winning by 10l or more today. Seems a good bet to me.

Can't knock what he's done today and he did jump well.  However, he was under no pressure whatsoever and this showed little more than he can jump smoothly.

It will be a hell of a lot different when he takes on the big boys at Cheltenham and he may well be up to it, but I want to see him under pressure and do it first.  I won't be backing him at 5 or 6/1 to find out.

Sure is pollybournemouth, really hope he makes it.

Good start today, couldn't have asked for anything else in those circumstances. Next time will be far more interesting though, I'd like to see him at Newbury for the Grade 2 novice chase but there's also the 3 mile race at the Open meeting.

As impressive as he may have been, he won as he should have, 40lbs well in or whatever it was from their hurdling ratings. Like Shockster says, you can't knock it at all but there are much sterner tests to be had. Today was as much about making sure he still has 4 legs and a pulse rather than convincing myself he is a Gold Cup winner. And trimming him to 4-1!? I think I would rather take a bath with my toaster

He could not have done it better. Even at the few where he shortened, he was quick and efficient; spectacular at others.
Fantastic, but would still echo previous thoughts and those of others here regarding his GC price.

I've just had a small ew bet on him for the KG, of course the Feltham is the danger and what happens with Cue Card will probably make the yards mind up as to what race he goes for over Xmas but the 14/1 betfair sportsbook offer today is too big, especially as someone was asking for a bit at 9.2 on the exchange too

That'll be the last time you do that......next time you try, max bet £1...

He did jump very well, but that was to be expected when only really travelling at just over half speed.

I see no reason not to follow the Coneygree path of Feltham, Denman and then the Gold Cup, with one race between now and Boxing Day. 

Now he's had an easy race to start him off, they need to up the standard of opposition fairly quickly as he'll be taking on the best of the best in about 4 races time.

I agree 4/1 and 5/1 is a joke of a price, but I can understand why he is favourite, given his immense ability, we know he'll get the trip, he acts on the track - he just needs to conquer those 4 and a half foot fences!!

I loved the way he jumped a fence, it was effortless, made the correct shape and landed running. Cant wait for him to run again.

Douvan now becomes the biggest danger to Thistlecrack as RR will want him in the Gold Cup

Hiya and point taken but RR doesn't believe Djakadam can win the Gold cup !
let me put it another way If he lets Douvan go to the King George
and he wins that he will run in the Gold cup
RR is now obsessed in the nicest way with winning the Gold Cup
and he already thinks Douvan can win one
Have a great week

Will Thistlecrack win tomorrow? If so, by how many lengths or will the bubble be busted?

Yes he will win
The point is when you bet on Thistlecrack you know the horse is ok when you do the same on Coneygree you have no idea---which is why the odds are like they are
I would see him 3-1 king George maybe shorter
7/4 Gold cup . IMHO he is a wonder horse

For the record I believe mister T thinks Thistlecrack can win the King George and on that basis he will have a go

As the pundits would say Today will tell us a lot :-)

I'd be absolutely amazed if Thistlecrack goes for the Gold Cup this year after that display!!!!

pollybournemouth,

I am sorry you harbour that thought but I am being realistic.

Thistlecrack is an 8yr old out and out novice chaser; he is also entering the chasing game quite late - he will be 9yrs old come the Cheltenham Festival. I just cannot see him winning the Gold Cup in 2017 as he needs much more experienced as today's display shows. However, he could be a serious contender come 2018/19, if staying sound.

After yesterday, it further emphasises my view that Coneygree is definitely the one to beat in the Gold Cup.  I backed him the other day to remain unbeaten this season at 66/1 after the sad news of Vautour, but that price is now 40's.  He has question marks over his injury recovery and will it be soft on the day, but if it is yes and yes, I think he is the standout horse in the field.

If Thistlecrack was going for the RSA this year, you'd say he is right on track, and he's where he needs to be at this stage of his career.  He made novicey mistakes, but you'd expect that, and he'll gradually improve with each run.  Alpha Des Obeaux hasn't been foot perfect this year, but he is being kept in novice company and having plenty of runs to learn the game against oppostion that isn't going to be too testing. 

However, the trouble with going the Gold Cup so soon, after so few runs, is that you don't really have time to gradually improve - you need to be bloody good almost instantly.  It's crystal clear he has a huge engine, but I think they need to up the standard of his oppositon pretty sharpish to see where they stand.  If he's not 100% comfortable over fences, the World Hurdle field looks p!ss poor and would be a penalty kick for him.

If he were mine, I'd focus on the RSA this year, and Gold Cup next.  I know he's a little old, but he's very lightly raced, and Cue Card showed last year that a 10 yo can be in the form of their life, and Cue Card had been racing at the festival since he was 4.

He is a fair enough price when you think of the engine he has and he jumps brilliant most of the time. Fair enough he's a bit brave but he showed at the water jump he can dance aswell. A few more races will reveal a lot more obviously but there is absolutely no reason to go off the Gold cup trail as things stand. If he jumps around Newbury like he did around Chepstow what price should he be?? He's an absolute machine that stays forver and has a lethal change of gear. It's a pity people like to pick holes at this stage after only 2 mistakes in two races. If he gets there safe and sound he'll be a 5/4 shot providing everything goes to plan from now on. Cant wait for Newbury. A real jumping test. Colin might actually school him between races this time.