Gold Cup favourite passes first examination over fences in style

His jockey described him as awesome and his trainer believes there is more to come - Thistlecrack certainly did not disappoint on his chasing debut at Chepstow on Tuesday.

He was already favourite with many firms for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup prior to jumping a fence in public, and after negotiating 18 obstacles near-flawlessy was generally cut into 5-1 (from 6).

A very healthy midweek crowd for Chepstow were treated to some impressive leaps from last season's World Hurdle winner who, apart from getting a bit too close to the first fence up the home straight, hardly put a foot wrong as he scooted up by four lengths without being asked a serious question.