SIR Anthony McCoy feels that Colin Tizzard’s star stablemates Thistlecrack and Cue Card should be kept apart at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

The now retired 20-times champion jockey, whose sole victory in the Grade One prize came aboard three-times Gold Cup winner Best Mate in 2002, believes that the Milborne Port trainer should take separate paths with his two stable stars.

While Cue Card remains on course to defend his 32Red King George VI Chase crown, a decision is yet to be made whether he will be joined by last season’s World Hurdle winner Thistlecrack with the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, better known as the Feltham, also being considered by connections.

McCoy said: “They are two sets of owners and there are two different jockeys but if I was Colin Tizzard I would be inclined to try and win both races.

“In the Feltham, Thistlecrack would take a hell of a lot of beating where as in the King George there is good standard with Cue Card and whatever else may take their chance. It also depends what will come over from Ireland.

“Thistlecrack is a horse with huge potential and it is hard to know if his jumping would be better or worse in a good race. It is very difficult to judge him on what he has done so far as he has been ridden to get round.

“In a more competitive race, though, he might be even better.”