THISTLECRACK made the perfect start to his career over fences with a faultless display in the Aspen Waite Complete Business Growth Service Novices' Chase at Chepstow.

Trained by Colin Tizzard, the eight-year-old was peerless in the staying hurdling division last season, winning each of his five starts. Already ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup before jumping a fence in public, his price hardened after this display.