Colin Tizzard’s Thistlecrack ruled out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with a stress fracture

COLIN TIZZARD’S Thistlecrack has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second year in a row.

The ten-year-old had made his comeback from injury this season and ran a promising race in the King George with connections then keen to crack on to the Gold Cup.

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However, he has suffered a stress fracture and has been ruled out of the rest of the season.

Last year, Thistlecrack missed the Gold Cup with a tendon problem.

Kim Tizzard told At The Races: “He was a little bit stiff behind after the King George and he’s been off and had X-rays and bone scans – it’s gutting.

“He ran a screamer. He jumped really well and we were getting excited that the old Thistlecrack was still there.

“We were going for the Gold Cup – we’re gutted. Hopefully he’ll have his box rest and come back next season.

“We’re gutted for the team, the owners, everyone. We’ve still got a horse, at the end of the day.”