Thistlecrack to go for the King George

Thistlecrack will take on stable companion Cue Card in the 32Red King George VI Chase, owner John Snook has confirmed.

The Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner is unbeaten in this three starts over fences this season and connections have been debating whether to keep him in novice company for the Kauto Star Novices' Chase or test him against seasoned chasers in the King George.

With the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup his ultimate aim for the season, they have decided to tackle top level competition in Monday's feature at Kempton.

"It's definitely the King George for Thistlecrack - it's always been my intention to go that way provided the horse has been coping with jumping fences and we think he has," Snook told Somerset Live.

"His win at Newbury on Hennessy day confirmed that - there was nothing wrong with that performance - and provided he's 110 per cent on the day we'll be in the King George."

Cue Card won the three-mile feature 12 months ago and is the favourite to defend his crown on St Stephen's Day.

While his charge is unbeaten over the larger obstacles, Snook believes he will be up against it at Kempton but feels it is important to test the eight-year-old against the best staying chasers in training.

"Thistlecrack has got it all to do. People say he hasn't beaten anything much but now we can find out and see how he copes when taken on and put under pressure," he explained. "If we don't try and do these things, we won't know how good he is and I don't want to leave it to the last minute to see if he's up to Gold Cup standard.

"Tom [Scudamore] is happy whichever way we choose to go as long as he is on board. We couldn't be more happy with his progress over fences and I was pleased with Nick Scholfield on Ibis Du Rheu who took us on at Newbury last time. That horse has won at the Cheltenham Festival and we made short work of him.

"And if we do get beaten out of sight on Boxing Day we have got the alternative of going for the World Hurdle again."

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