Kayf Tara’s son Thistlecrack notches second Grade 1 victory in Long Walk Hurdle.
19 December 2015
Thistlecrack jumped his way to favouritism for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with an impressive triumph over Reve De Sivola in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.
The seven-year-old son of Kayf Tara was recording his second victory at the highest level after landing Aintree’s Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle in April. Since then, he has finished half a length behind Killultagh Vic when second in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival and started his season in fine style in November with a Grade 2 win in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack, a son of the Ardross mare Ardstown, was bred in Britain by Robin and Scarlett Knipe of Cobhall Court Stud and races in the colours of John and Heather Snook.
Kayf Tara enjoyed another winner on Saturday when the seven-year-old Arthur’s Oak posted a flawless round of jumping to record the third victory of his 10-start career in the DH Welton 40th Anniversary Handicap Chase at Haydock.
Also victorious at Haydock was Schiaparelli’s half-brother Seventh Sky, the seven-length winner of the Tommy Whittle Chase which marked the ninth win of his career – six over fences, one over hurdles and two on the Flat, including the Listed Derby Trial in Germany.
