Colin Tizzard feels Thistlecrack has more to offer on better ground

Colin Tizzard felt Thistlecrack may have been compromised by the soft ground at Cheltenham on Saturday after he lost his unbeaten record over fences.The nine-year-old was eased in the ante-post betting for the Gold Cup in March following his defeat to Many Clouds, who collapsed and died after the race.But Tizzard told the Telegraph: "He ran his race.I don't want to detract from Many Clouds because when that (his death) was announced it was a huge downer." He added: "But, with hindsight, Thistlecrack might be better on spring ground."We've all seen what he did on better ground at Kempton (King George VI Chase)."He got there to win it (at Cheltenham) but was outstayed up the hill."Tizzard added that Thistlecrack was "absolutely fine" after his Cheltenham eclipse, with the Dorset handler adamant he still has a"favourite's chance" in the Gold Cup.