bet365 Racing News
Thursday 8th November 2018

Thistlecrack to Take on Big Guns

Colin Tizzard is eyeing up a return to action for Thistlecrack against last season's Gold Cup one-two Native River and Might Bite in the Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month.

Thistlecrack
© Racehorse Photos
Thistlecrack

The Dorset handler has no qualms about allowing his former King George winner face off against stablemate and reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup kingpin Native River.

The Betfair Chase is the first leg of the jumps triple crown, with the winner potentially kick-starting a campaign that could yield a £1million bonus should they go on and win the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.

Thistlecrack featured among the Haydock entries, alongside his stablemate Native River and the Nicky Henderson-trained Might Bite, last season's King George hero and Gold Cup second.

While Tizzard has given 2016 King George winner Thistlecrack handicap options in both the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, he is leaning towards the Merseyside Grade One.

Thistlecrack hasn't raced since finishing six lengths fourth behind Might Bite at Kempton on Boxing Day.

"He's fit and well and we will probably go to Haydock," Tizzard told the Daily Mirror.

"We've entered him in some handicaps but that is to cover all bases in case the ground stops us. He doesn't need it heavy - as long as it's softer than good."

Last year's winner Bristol De Mai is 9/4 to win the Betfair Chase for Nigel Twiston-Davies once more, while Might Bite is a 3/1 chance. Stablemates Native River, currently, 11/4 and Thistlecrack, trading at 14/1, feature amongst the 14-strong entry list for the 24th November contest.

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