What kept you?

if the sponsors go 5/4 Tizzard winning the race then they are of the opinion that Thistlecrack is a non starter. They would not lay 7/2 Cue Card, unless , of course , that they had that beast down as an absentee.

I still think Thistlecrack will not line-up for this race, why? Because there is absolutely no need to heap this kind of pressure on a novice chaser this being his 1st season over fences with just 3 races under his belt; there is another perfectly adequate race for this talented novice to gain more experience until his main target in March ie the Gold Cup in March - an injudicious decision by trainer and owner if I'm proven wrong.

Why take the risk when the risk is so wholly unnecessary? The target is in March!

Horse Racing is all about opinions and I do appreciate a reasonable alternative response to any of mine no matter how absurd out far fetched (at times) without recourse to personal insult, obscenity or infantile behaviour from either party.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup could be a blood bath, I agree, and last year was no different hence more experience is required for Thistlecrack. But from the same stable of the deserved/solid favourite Cue Card, a race or two too soon and with the ultimate target in March is wholly unnecessary, in my view.

Why go to battle if one's chances of victory could be enhanced with more preps prior to engagement? Thistlecrack is a very talented horse and if the Gold Cup in March is his main aim and fences his new discipline for the future there is absolutely nothing to be gained rushing and running him in this race this year.

It'd be lovely for racegoers and racing enthusiasts if Thistlecrack turns up but never take one's eye off the ball, that's all I say to connections.

I123 - seems to me just want Thistlecrack to be aimed elsewhere so that your antepost bet on Cue Card has more chance of collecting. Presumably you were hoping to be able to lay off your stake at a really short price so you could have a nice free bet, but Thistlecracks participation is preventing that.

If you genuinely feel Thistlecrack should not be running as he isn't up to the task yet, then you should welcome his participation as you will be able to back Cue Card again at a much bigger price than would otherwise be the case. CC might not even be favourite on the day.

Sara Bradstock, the trainer of Coneygree, has been reported not to be afraid of Thistlecrack - she is (very though) of Cue Card. Of Thistlecrack, she said he is jumping over fences rather than racing over them; Cue Card could be beaten if Coneygree could stretch him early in the race and not allow him to lop along behind waiting to pounce.

Coneygree will only run if the ground is conducive. The present forecast is little or no rain until Boxing Day itself at Kempton Park.

comments from Henderson yesterday to the effect that they were strongly considering supplementing him - in contrast to what he said after Josses Hill won the Peterborough.

Bookmakers probably don't have prices because he currently is n't entered.

Sounds about right Rease (hic)!

Latest from Collin Tizzard on Thistlecrack's participation: "50-50 call...should the going be really soft it would increase Thistlecrack's chances of going for the King George."

From the above I'd infer the chances of Thistlecrack lining-up is lesser than not.

The present weather forecast for Kempton Park is about 25mm but no precipitation until 23rd Dec - the Confirmation Date is 19th Dec.

Hope Irish does run, think he has an outside chance of running into the three without troubling the winner or even 2nd if they go hard from the get go and with the promise of Coneygree going to go out at a million miles an hour at 100/1 it's cheap enough to find out

So, according to Nicholls' quotes on RP, Conti is another who could be scared off by Thistlecrack!

Tizzard must be giving serious consideration to running Thistlecrack solely on the basis that it could end up being two from his stable vs Coneygree! (and even Coneygree runs with proviso that ground is no quicker than Good to Soft).

It's interesting that, given all the media and public debate about the merit in Thistlecrack running in the race as a novice, that there's a few in the industry who seem reluctant to take him on. They don't say that about Cue Card.

He wants to win the Kauto Star .

coneygree out shame for the race it needed him...i think he'll definitely run thistlecrack now myself

If Colin Tizzard does as he says and makes the decision based on the best interest of each on an individual basis, then the withdrawal  of Coneygree makes it more likely that TC runs in the KG. Coneygree setting a searching pace would have tested more a novice's jumping.

Most trainers would want to win both prizes both Colin comes across as an authentic gent.

He has previously stated that the ground will be a major deciding factor as soft ground wouldn't put as much pressure on TC'S jumping. Dry weather gives him an out and could allow him make the decision he surely wants to. 

Very poor field if the stable match doesn't materialize.

I actually don't think there will be a small field anymore. With Coneygree now out which is a sad thing on it's own, every bookmaker are still offering 3 places at either 1/4 or 1/5th and looking down them on oddschecker at what is blue and what isn't it is clear to me who these bookmakers think will actually run.

Think there be 10-12 runners personally and not without a chance of a turn up at a big price.

Where is the 11/4 CC Thistlscrack double ? Cant see it on paddys website.

It's shorter since the announcement as CC is now odds on.

I am not that pleased about the announcement as explained previously I think it increases the likelyhood of TC running in this if you take Tizzard for his word that it's a separate decision.

I didn't fancy Conegryee on goodish ground at Kempton and my main dockets are waiting on CC so not all that pleased that TC is a more likely contender imo

Someone is still laying Thistlecrack - I wonder who? 7 at the moment.

For the sake of the race I'd like to see Thistlecrack take on CC, for personal punting reasons I hope he goes to the Feltham.
I'm sure CT would prefer the chances of winning both, but will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Coneygree took the big prize after the Feltham, so it's not without precedent.

Good for connections, better price for Cue Card supporters and racegoers. Bring it on!