Tizzard's leading man is back with scores to settle

In the tradition of the Hollywood blockbuster there's unfinished business to, well, finish. There are ends to tie up, scores to settle, the leading man must get his hands on the gold, the girl, the crown. He's been away, but he's coming back for what's rightfully his. Dim the lights, hand round the popcorn; Thistlecrack's back.

It was a big winter for Thistlecrack 12 months ago, marking his transformation from hugely promising novice chaser into one of the biggest box-office names in the business, with an impressive victory in the King George VI Chase stamping the seal on his irrepressible rise. The runaway World Hurdle winner was in the spotlight even before the word 'action' had been uttered, though, with plenty of chatter about his potential before he'd jumped a fence in public.

As soon as he did, the chatter became a buzz. Thistlecrack took to fences like a rabbit to a carrot, looking instantly at home in his natural habitat. What he did wasn't particularly noteworthy – the horses he was beating were not remotely at his level – but the way he did it was what so warmed the heart on a winter's day. He made it all look so easy.