Thistlecrack to miss the remainder of the season with a slight tendon tear
Racing fans were left reeling by the news Thistlecrack will miss Cheltenham and the rest of the season due to injury. Colin Tizzard's star Novice had topped the Gold Cup betting since his fabulous King George victory on boxing day last year but will now miss out on the opportunity to become the second novice to win the race in the last three years.
Tizzard revealed this morning: "Thistlecrack is out. He had heat in his leg last night. The vet scanned him this morning and it's a slight tendon tear."
Thistlecrack is the latest big name to be ruled out of the March showpiece with other National Hunt stars Faugheen, Annie Power, Min and Coneygree all missing due to injury.
