Thistlecrack OUT for rest of season: New Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite revealed
THISTLECRACK will miss the rest of the season with a tendon injury, it has been confirmed.
Thistlecrack has suffered a tendon injury that rules him out of the rest of the season
Thistlecrack was the dominant force in the staying hurdle division last season and had been installed as the 6/4 favourite for next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
But Paddy Power make Thistlecrack's Hennessy Gold Cup, Welsh Grand National and Denman Chase-winning stable companion Native River the new 5/2 favourite, just ahead of fellow Venn Farm inmate Cue Card at 3/1.
Thistlecrack won his first four starts over fences, including a scintillating victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Thistlecrack won the prestigious King George VI Chase on Boxing Day last year
Thistlecrack trainer Colin Tizzard will still have a strong group for the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Despite suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of the ill-fated Many Clouds in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January, the Colin Tizzard-trained nine-year-old remained at the head of the betting for the blue riband on March 17, but he will not line up at Prestbury Park next month.
Tizzard told the Press Association: "Thistlecrack is out for the season, unfortunately.
"He had a bit of heat in his leg last night and was a bit sore.
"We had the leg scanned this morning and he has a slight tear on his tendon.
Streaker at Cheltenham Festival
"We've seen it at every yard and it happens every year."
Despite the shock news, Tizzard still has a formidable hand for the Festival showpiece, although the price of 10/1 for the trainer to have all of the first three is unlikely to stay with Thistlecrack's withdrawal.