Thistlecrack won the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last year. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

THISTLECRACK HAS BECOME the latest high-profile horse to be ruled out of the Cheltenham festival.

The Gold Cup favourite will miss the festival next month due to a slight tendon tear.

“He is out of the Gold Cup and won’t run again this season,” trainer Colin Tizzard told The Racing Post.

“He had heat in his leg last night. The vet scanned him this morning and it’s a slight tendon tear.”

Thistlecrack claimed a major success at Christmas when winning the King George VI Steeplechase at Kempton before losing out Many Clouds in the Cotswold Chase in Cheltenham last month.

Thistlecrack, ridden by Tom Scudamore, wins the King George VI Steeple Chase at Kempton Park.

The news is another major setback for this year’s festival with several other absentees already confirmed like Faugheen, Min and Annie Power.

Tizzard’s horse Native River is the new Gold Cup favourite, followed by his stable companion Cue Card.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Cue Card in top form at Ascot with Cheltenham Gold Cup just around the corner

AP McCoy statue to be unveiled at Cheltenham on opening day of this year’s festival