King George VI Chase tips: Thistlecrack can reign supreme in Kempton feature

It was a breathtaking performance and the front-running tactics clearly suited Thistlecrack.

Prior to that, many had been quick to crab his jumping as Thistlecrack had gone long at a couple of fences and done well to stay on his feet.

However, those errors were forced because he was so superior to the opposition and wanted to go faster than regular jockey and Coral Ambassador Tom Scudamore would allow.

Potential to be a better chaser than hurdler

When allowed to go his own pace last time out at Newbury he was immaculate in the jumping department and, although Thistlecrack steps out of novice company against the big boys, he is arguably the best horse in the race.

If again allowed to dictate proceedings at his own pace, then there are doubts over whether anything will have enough pace to pick him up at the business end of affairs as he goes through the gears.

Thistlecrack has the potential to be an even better hurdler than a chaser, and that is frightening given how good he was over the smaller obstacles.

He can take this to cement his position at the head of the betting for the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup – a race which Thistlecrack is currently 3/1 favourite with Coral to win.

Cue Card odds say he’s sure to make bid to retain crown

Cue Card showed tremendous guts to get up close home and beat Vautour by a head in the race 12 months ago, so is sure to give it his best shot to retain his crown.

The 10-year-old has been a terrific servant over the years and has won 11 of his 26 starts over fences.

After winning this last year, Cue Card was till going strongly when falling three from home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he looked as good as ever last time out when landing the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock for a third time.

The gelding cruised clear to beat 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Conyegree by 15 lengths, but that one was returning from a lengthy absence and was entitled to need the run.

High cruising speed and potent turn of foot

However, Cue Card did all the could be asked and he has a high cruising speed and potent turn of foot when on-song. Whether he has as much speed as Thistlecrack, however, is questionable.

Cue Card is also a hold-up horse and regular jockey Paddy Brennan will have to get things spot on tactically – if Thistlecrack does make the running – as he cannot allow a horse of so much potential and talent too much rope.

Of the others, Josses Hill is progressing nicely, but in all honesty this looks a head-to-head on all known form between Cue Card and Thistlecrack.

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Coral’s top tip: Thistlecrack bets look worth a wager to get the better of stablemate Cue Card in a mouthwatering renewal of the King George VI Chase.