Thistlecrack challenges Cue Card for Kempton favouritism

Betway broke cover on Wednesday morning and became the first bookmaker to promote Thistlecrack to outright favouritism for the 32Red King George VI Chase ahead of stablemate and defending champion Cue Card.

The firm make Thistlecrack 5-4 (from 11-8), while Cue Card has been pushed out to 11-8 from 6-5 for the Boxing Day feature and report that it has been one-way traffic in terms of support for the novice since connections confirmed his participation on Monday.

The position is a reversal of the current order for most other layers, with Thistlecrack 11-8 almost across the board while Cue Card is no bigger than 5-4 with Ladbrokes and Sky Bet.

“Ante-post punters thought they had Christmas paid for with Cue Card in the King George but all the money has been for Thistlecrack since the declarations,” said Betway spokesman Alan Alger, who described the weight of money for last season’s World Hurdle winner as a flood.

The firm make Thistlecrack the 5-6 to go off favourite at Kempton on Monday, with Cue Card an even-money chance.