A mouth-watering clash between stablemates Cue Card and Thistlecrack in the King George is now on
The biggest clash of the jumps season so far is now on after it was confirmed by the owner that Thistlecrack will take on stablemate Cue Card in next Monday’s King George VI Chase.
Last season's World Hurdle hero is now as short as 11-8 second favourite (best price 7/4) behind 5/4 favourite Cue Card, who won the Boxing Day feature 12 months ago.
Thistlecrack’s owner John Snook told Somerset Live this morning: "It's definitely the King George for Thistlecrack - it's always been my intention to go that way provided the horse has been coping with jumping fences and we think he has.
"His win at Newbury on Hennessy day confirmed that - there was nothing wrong with that performance - and provided he's 110 per cent on the day we'll be in the King George."
Thistlecrack’s participation could dash Cue Card’s hopes of landing the £1m Jockey Club Triple Crown bonus which has been set up by his victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.
Trainer Colin Tizzard told Attheraces: "We've been saying we'd leave a decision for as long as we could but felt it was only fair we told told people what we intended to do.
"The owners want to go for the King George and I'm full backing with it. Both sets of owners have sat down and talked about it. Both horses are in cracking form so should take their chance."
