Jumping's brightest star leaves all our hearts pounding

Lee Mottershead talks to an adoring throng after a sublime performance

Thistlecrack comes home alone in the King George at Kempton with Tom Scudamore looking round for non-existent dangersCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Christmas seems a remarkably appropriate time for a second coming.

There is certainly no racehorse more worthy of worship than a great staying chaser. Those fortunate to have been at Kempton this day left in no doubt a very great staying chaser is what they had seen.

How thrilling it was to watch him soaring over Kempton's open ditches, taking off from one postcode, landing in another. How electrifying it was to watch him still cruising approaching the final fence and then being eased down some way before the line. How difficult yet exciting it is to have no idea just how good he will prove to be.

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Published on 26 December 2016inReports

Last updated 18:29, 26 December 2016

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