THISTLECRACK is the star name among 10 possible runners in the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Sherborne handler Colin Tizzard’s eight-year-old heads antepost lists for the World Hurdle at the Festival in March having impressed in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and the Long Walk at Ascot.
His task if turning out this weekend will not be straightforward, however, with some interesting rivals potentially taking him on.
Camping Ground is set to be stepped up to three miles for the first time by Blandford-based trainer Robert Walford after blitzing his rivals in the two-and-ahalf- mile Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
The Mouse Morris-trained Alpha Des Obeaux also holds an entry, just nine days after a comfortable win in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran, but will not make the journey from Ireland.
Morris said: "We entered him for the race last week, but he won’t be going now.
“He’s come out of Gowran well.’’ George Charlton’s admirable teenager Knockara Beau was a shock 66-1 winner of this prize two years ago and is set to line up once more.
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