Thistlecrack owners show right way to respond to a cruel setback

If the true measure of a man is how he responds to adversity, then this week revealed Thistlecrack's connections are among the best of us.

The cruel disappointment of having your pride and joy consigned to the sick list mere weeks before the their prospective moment of crowning glory must hit like a wrecking ball to the stomach. Yet just minutes after the news was confirmed trainer Colin Tizzard was calmly informing the media, and hence the waiting racing public, about an injury that sent shockwaves around the sport.

And while Tizzard at least had the consolation of two brilliant Gold Cup replacements in Cue Card and Native River, either one of which most trainers would give their right arm for (and probably the left arm for the other one), that is not the case for jockey Tom Scudamore or owners John and Heather Snook.