The Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack will miss the race as he has a slight tendon tear and is out for the rest of the season, Colin Tizzard announced on Tuesday.

"He had a bit of heat in his leg last night...had scanned this morning and has a slight tear on his tendon, " the trainer reported.

After three impressive novice chase wins he had been close to even money for the championship race after his runaway win in the King George. A defeat last time by Many Clouds at Cheltenham had seen him back to a 7/4 shot for the big race.

Tizzard's still has the first and second favourite with Native River and Saturday's winner Cue Card.

Latest odds: 3/1 Native River, 7/2 Cue Card, 11/2 Djakadam, 8/1 Sizing John, 8/1 Outlander, 12/1 Empire Of Dirt