COLIN Tizzard feels there is little to choose between Native River and Theatre Guide as they line up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury tomorrow.

Native River, who heads the ante-post market, won the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree and finished a satisfactory second over hurdles at Wetherby on his return last month.

Theatre Guide, who also finished second on his seasonal bow, has been placed in the race twice before and is getting 6lb from his stablemate, having had a wind operation in the summer.

“I thought Theatre Guide ran a lovely prep race for this at Wetherby over a trip short of his best,” said Tizzard.

“He had a wind op in the summer and is right on the top of his game at the moment.

“I’d have said there wouldn’t be much at all between them on the terms they are meeting.

“This looks a beautiful race for Native River, definitely the right spot. He’s a Grade One-winning, second-season novice and he ran a lovely race over hurdles first time out.

“Of course it will be ultra-competitive, it always is, but I’d like to think they are both going there with excellent chances.”

*At the same meeting, Tizzard also runs last season’s World Hurdle hero Thistlecrack in the bet365 Novices’ Chase.