Grand National Festival: Thistlecrack to turn on the style in Stayers’ Hurdle

David Metcalf | April 8, 2016

Thistlecrack looks a cut above in Stayers’ Hurdle

Thistlecrack has proved a revelation this season and looks a worthy red-hot favourite to land another Grade 1 success in the Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle on Grand National day at Aintree (15.40).

The Colin Tizzard trained gelding destroyed a good field on return to action in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, travelling strongly throughout in the hands of jockey Tom Scudamore before taking up the running at the last and staying on strongly to beat Deputy Dan by six lengths.

Thistlecrack backed that up with an eight length drubbing of Reve De Sivola in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, before running out a facile 12 length winner Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials Day.

Scintillating success in World Hurdle

The eight-year-old then put in a breathtaking performance when toying with his rivals to land the Grade 1 World Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival in scintillating style.

After being held-up in mid-division, Thistlecrack cruised into second place three from home and shot clear from two out to beat Alpha Des Obeaux by seven lengths.

The turn of pace shown to put the race to bed was electric, and Thistlecrack had a strong field of stayers strung out like washing.

To me it was the most impressive display during the four-days of the Festival, and Thistlecrack is impossible to oppose in this line-up.