Henrietta Knight so excited by Thistlecrack
Tuesday 27 December 2016 13:02, UK
Henrietta Knight, who won the King George VI Chase twice with Best Mate and Edredon Bleu, believes this year's hero Thistlecrack could be 'a horse in a million'.
Knight was most impressed with the performance of the Colin Tizzard-trained eight-year-old in the three-mile showpiece at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The retired Wantage trainer is now hoping the new chasing sensation can go on and win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which she claimed three years in a row with Best Mate from 2002 to 2004.
"I think he's a mighty horse. I don't think you can pull him to pieces anyway," she said.
"He's a magnificent-looking horse. He's so well made - he'd win in the show ring. He's just a lovely, lovely horse. He doesn't seem to have any flaws at all.
"He was extremely well ridden by Tom Scudamore. I think he understands the horse very well.
"He was careful with him at the last two fences rather than fire him at them and stand off two far. I thought the partnership was superb.
"He's the most exciting horse we've seen for a long time. I think Thistlecrack is one in a million. He's a very special horse. Thistlecrack is just perfection. I really hope he wins the Gold Cup."
The King George was only Thistlecrack's fourth race over fences after he had carried all before him in the staying hurdle division.
To be top of the tree at both, the horse has to have the ideal temperament.
According to Knight, Thistlecrack has everything.
"He must have a very good head. He's a very sensible horse," she said. "All the Thistlecrack connections are so cool about it and calm. They don't over-react It's just very good for racing."
