Wednesday 24 January 2018 12:41, UK
Connections of Thistlecrack are optimistic the headline-grabbing chaser could still be a potent force when he returns to action next season.
Colin Tizzard's 10-year-old must miss the remainder of the campaign after he sustained a stress fracture of a leg following his fine effort in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Thistlecrack's 2016-17 season also came to a premature end when he suffered a tendon problem that kept him out of last year's Cheltenham Festival.
But Heather Snook, who owns Thistlecrack with husband John, has issued a reassuring update on his rehabilitation.
She told Press Association Sport: "We're quite happy with Thistlecrack and quite happy he'll be back in the autumn.
"We don't think he's particularly unsound at the moment, but you've got to respect the X-rays and what the vets say.
"He doesn't have many miles on the clock, so hopefully he'll be OK.
"He's still no age, so we would be totally optimistic with Thistlecrack, all things being equal.
"As far as his enthusiasm and him wanting to do the job, that's won't be a problem, but they are not machines and that should never be forgotten.
"We just count ourselves very lucky to have a horse who has reached such heights."
