THISTLECRACK is set to return to action next week with a shot at the red-hot Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle.
Team Tizzard have the King George as his big target and next weeks clash with Paisley Park and Unowhatimeanharry is the perfect warm-up.
The two day Ladbrokes Winter Carnival gets underway on Friday with the Grade 2 Hurdle over three miles a real highlight.
And defending champ Unowhatimeanharry and Stayers’ Hurdle hero Paisley Park will provide Thistlecrack with an early season test.
Joe Tizzard said: “Thistlecrack will come here for the Long Distance Hurdle next week and that should hopefully put him spot on for the King George.
“Itll be a hot race with Paisley Park and Uknowhatimeanharry in there but its all to get him set for Kempton and he will improve for it.”
The 11-year-old has not been seen since being pulled-up in the Gold Cup but will have one more crack at the big time this season.
Tizzard added: “He put up our best performance by a chaser last season and people forget that. He ran a cracker when second in the King George last year and won it in style in 2016.
“We all still love him at the yard and we still hope he can land one more big one before he retires.”
The stable plan to have three runners in the Ladbrokes Trophy as Elegant Escape looks set to skip Saturday’s Betfair Chase and shoulder top weight in next weekend’s showpiece.
Tizzard continued: “Elegant Escape has been left in at Haydock on Saturday but I think a few of the big names would have to drop out for him to go there.
“The Ladbrokes Trophy will be his target youd think and we were mightily pleased with the way he ran in the Charlie Hall. This race should really suit, hes a proper proper stayer.
“Well also likely run Mister Malarky who put in a disappointing run in at Ascot and we never got to the bottom of that.
“Were hoping he should bounce back, as hes going well at home and you couldnt tell he ran no race at Ascot. Hes got a good one in him.”
Elegant Escape and Mister Malarky can both be backed at 14-1 with Ladbrokes, and Robinsfirth at 20-1 completes the Tizzard trio.
Tizzard concluded: “We should have three in it with Robinsfirth but hes a very fragile horse which is his downfall, but on his day hes very good.
“Weve spoke about this race all through last season and hes just had a little wind-op.
“This is the obvious spot for him as wherever we go hes not on the easiest of marks now. He won the Peter Marsh well, and on a going day could surprise a few people.”
