Person: Thistlecrack

2016 Cheltenham Festival - Champion Day - Cheltenham Racecourse

Why Cheltenham is the most-special horse racing event in the world

The countdown to the 2017 Cheltenham Festival is on and the excitement ahead of the meeting continues to build. The fixture has become the jewel in the British racing crown in recent years and the Festival’s popularity continues to grow, but what makes it the most special meeting in the world, asks Peter Hodges.

Mon, 09 Jan, 2017

Richard Johnson rates Native River’s Gold Cup claims

Champion jockey Richard Johnson feels Native River has to be a “big player” in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup after his Welsh National win.

Sun, 01 Jan, 2017

Thistlecrack Gold Cup quotes derisory

Last week we praised Colin Tizzard’s decision of Colin Tizzard to throw Thistlecrack in at the deep end in Monday’s King George Chase at Kempton.

Sat, 31 Dec, 2016

Darren Norris: Young gun Thistlecrack can rise to occasion

It’s a pretty safe assumption that the winner of the 2016 renewal of the 32Red King George VI Chase will be trained by Colin Tizzard. 

Mon, 26 Dec, 2016

Thistlecrack can take tactical affair

I’ve ridden in a lot of King Georges but I don’t remember riding in one with such a small field.

Mon, 26 Dec, 2016

Paddy Brennan: Thistlecrack simply the best if he beats Cue Card

Cue Card’s jockey Paddy Brennan believes Thistlecrack will need to be the best horse he has ever seen if he is to beat his stable companion in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Mon, 26 Dec, 2016

Sensible money must be with seasoned Cue Card to see off young pretender

That the Colin Tizzard-trained duo, Cue Card and Thistlecrack, will both go to the start for Monday’s King George VI Chase at Kempton Park has all but saved this year’s renewal. 

Sat, 24 Dec, 2016

Noel Meade to make late call with Road To Riches

Road To Riches is “50-50” to take his up his engagement in the 32Red King George VI Chase, according to trainer Noel Meade.

Wed, 21 Dec, 2016

Here's why Douvan should be aimed at the Gold Cup

If Willie Mullins sticks to the tried and trusted system that has served him so well there’s no doubt Douvan will head for the two-mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham, with a possible tilt at the Gold Cup put back to 2018.

Sat, 17 Dec, 2016

Unowhatimeanharry to stroll in Long Walk

Unowhatimeanharry looks a ready-made replacement for Thistlecrack and should justify favouritism in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot tomorrow.

Fri, 16 Dec, 2016

Yanworth looks set to sidestep International Hurdle

Yanworth is set to sidestep Saturday’s stanjames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham and could instead contest the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Wed, 07 Dec, 2016

Thistlecrack still a work in progress

On the one-hand you can understand why Thistlecrack is the 7-2 favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it also defies logic, if that’s not too much of a contradiction.

Sat, 19 Nov, 2016

Valseur Lido looks a genuine contender

Valseur Lido certainly struck an early blow for Cheltenham Gold Cup consideration with that stunning victory last Saturday in the Grade One JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Thistlecrack ‘can do things others can’t even dream of’

The smile on the face of trainer Colin Tizzard painted a picture of both relief and joy as Thistlecrack set out on the Timico Gold Cup trail with an effortless victory in the Aspen Waite Complete Business Growth Service Novices’ Chase at Chepstow yesterday.

Wed, 26 Oct, 2016

Ruby Walsh discusses his wrist injury and shares his Grand National tips

Let the madness of Grand National Day begin. Unfortunately for me, after my fall from Blood Cotil in the Topham I sustained a wrist injury and won’t be involved in the way I had hoped.

Sat, 09 Apr, 2016

2016 Cheltenham Festival - St Patrick's Thursday - Cheltenham Racecourse

Tom Scudamore plumps for Ballynagour ahead of Grand National

Tom Scudamore is keeping his fingers crossed he has made the right decision after siding with Ballynagour in the Crabbie’s Grand National on Saturday.

Wed, 06 Apr, 2016

Two to keep in mind going forward post-Cheltenham

There are two horses that got beaten at Cheltenham who are worthy of the closest inspection going forward, namely Alpha Des Obeaux and Valseur Lido.

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

‘Alpha Des Obeaux will go where Thistlecrack doesn’t’

Future plans for Alpha Des Obeaux will be dictated by where his Ryanair World Hurdle conqueror Thistlecrack lines up this spring.

Mon, 21 Mar, 2016

Thistlecrack rules the World Hurdle at Cheltenham

Ireland’s total dominance, with a record-equalling six victories on day three of the Festival, was interrupted only by the World Hurdle victory of Thistlecrack, and a fitting performance it was to disrupt the potential whitewash.

Fri, 18 Mar, 2016

Limini looks a star in the making

The three best mares we have seen since Dawn Run, with the exception of the 1994 Champion Hurdle winner, Flakey Dove, have all been trained by Willie Mullins, namely Annie Power, Quevega and Vroum Vroum Mag.

Thu, 17 Mar, 2016

Three things we will learn at Cheltenham today

1. Just how good is Yanworth?

Wed, 16 Mar, 2016

Is there value in opposing Thistlecrack in the World Hurdle?

Darren Norris and Tommy Lyons argue their cases...

Wed, 02 Mar, 2016

Beware the short priced favourite at Cheltenham

Cheltenham is a little over two weeks away now and one of the things that strikes you, when looking at the markets for all of the 28 races, is just how many short priced favourites are likely to go to post.

Sat, 27 Feb, 2016

Thistlecrack to be aimed at the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Colin Tizzard last night revealed Ladbrokes World Hurdle favourite Thistlecrack will aimed at the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup next year.

Tue, 09 Feb, 2016

Punchestown Festival - Wednesday 29th April

Killultagh Vic can make winning start over fences at Fairyhouse

Killultagh Vic can make a winning debut over fences in the opening race on today’s card at Fairyhouse.

Sat, 19 Dec, 2015

Hennessy Gold Cup delight for Smad Place

Alan King ticked off another box on his glittering CV after Smad Place finally delivered on the big stage over fences with a scintillating win in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Mon, 30 Nov, 2015

Betfair Ascot trip looks ideal for Ballycasey

I am probably leaving a winner or two behind me in Gowran, but I learned a long time ago that you can’t be in two places at one time, says Ruby Walsh.

Sat, 14 Feb, 2015