RYANAIR WORLD HURDLE

(GRADE 1)

ALL season long he has dominated his division with a series of superb displays and, as if another further affirmation of his position as a three miler of rare quality was needed, Thistlecrack was just different class to his rivals in the staying championship.

A raging favourite for this race since before the turn of the year, Thistlecrack duly lived up to his banker status with an ultra smooth display under Tom Scudamore. All season long Colin Tizzard’s had dominated his rivals and he came here with absolutely no chinks in his armour.

As ever, Cheltenham offers the greatest test of all but this examination only served to reinforce Thistlecrack’s superiority. In truth, this was his best effort of the season, as the runner-up Alpha Des Obeaux turned up in the form of his life yet he still went down by seven lengths. Furthermore there was a yawning 22 lengths gap back to the third-placed former Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth. Thistlecrack did everything at his leisure under regular jockey Tom Scudamore, who initially settled him in midfield before then taking closer order heading out on the final circuit.

SUPREME

From some way out Thistlecrack was travelling supremely well and he then led with two to jump. This move was covered by Alpha Des Obeaux but hard as he tried, the runner-up couldn’t match the winner from before the last and Scudamore’s mount sauntered away from the last for the most decisive of victories.

“He’s been like that all season and it is lovely to get him here in the same form,” said Colin Tizzard. “He’s a huge horse now but he hasn’t always been like that. His owners have been very patient and he has grown into himself, he’s gone from a very nice horse to a super star.

“There has been pressure these last few weeks but every day is another one ticked off. You have to do the work with the horses, you can’t just trot them around the roads, and every day is pressure,” he added, while indications afterwards were that the Punchestown Festival could be on the agenda for the winner.

Tom Scudamore paid generous tribute to his mount, declaring: “To be able to ride a horse like that is very special. I have never ridden anything like him. They were going fast enough in a championship race and, at the top of the hill, there was only three in it and very quickly there was only one in it. He’s just outstanding.”

Just as impressed by the winner was the runner-up’s trainer Mouse Morris who was pleased with the efforts of his representative.

“The winner is a hell of a machine and I’ve no excuses. My horse got a super ride from Bryan (Cooper), jumped well and ran his heart out. We’ll certainly consider Aintree or Punchestown,” commented Morris.