Classy Thistlecrack can rule World Hurdle for trainer Tizzard

Alpha Des Obeaux the main threat

Alpha Des Obeaux also has a progressive profile and looks the obvious main danger to Thistlecrack.

Trained in Ireland by the shrewd Mouse Morris, the Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding chased home home the brilliant Douvan over an inadequate 2m at Punchestown last season, and was in the process of running a huge race in a Grade 1 contest over 3m at Aintree on his penultimate start last season when a length down and rallying only to grief at the last in a race eventually won by Thistlecrack.

The pair were miles clear of the rest when disaster struck, and to my mind the race was far from over and Alpha Des Obeaux would have given the winner plenty to think about had he stayed on his feet.

Drying ground a massive plus

There is not much to choose between the pair on that run, and Alpha Des Obeaux comes into the race having an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park when last seen in action.

Despite connections fears that the very testing ground was against the six-year-old, he travelled and jumped supremely well throughout and after taking up the running two from home stretched clear to easily beat At Fishers Cross by 11 lengths.

The drying Cheltenham ground will be massively in Alpha Des Obeaux’s favour, and if Thistlecrack fails to live up to expectations he looks the one likely to take advantage.

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Coral’s top tip: Thistlecrack is improving at a rate of knots and rates a solid bet to land the spoils. Alpha Des Obeaux looks sure to go well.