Thistlecrack had been 7-4 favourite for this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup up until this lunchtime but owner Colin Tizzard has announced that the horse is out for the rest of the season, due to a slight tendon tear.
Speaking about the King George VI winner, Tizzard said, 'He is out of the Gold Cup and won’t run again this season. He had heat in his leg last night. The vet scanned him this morning and it's a slight tendon tear.'
While it's bad news for Tizzard, he also trains the new favourite Native River and second favourite Cue Card, with the pair trading this afternoon at 11-4 and 7-2 respectively. The Thistlecrack injury is a real shame for the festival overall, with Faugheen and Annie Power missing.
The horse's nine race winning streak had come to an end last month - ironically at the Cheltenham - when he was beaten by Many Clouds but with such short odds for the Gold Cup, before today's news it was clear he was still considered by many as a sure bet to take home the festival's most coveted prize.
