Thornton opts for Kingscliff ride

Kingscliff missed last year's Cheltenham Festival

Jockey Andrew Thornton has revealed he will ride Kingscliff rather than Sir Rembrandt in the Cheltenham Gold Cup later this month.

But Thornton admitted that it had been a choice he was reluctant to make.

"It's been a very difficult decision and one I wish I hadn't had to make. Having to make it two weeks before the big race made it even harder," he said.

"There's not much between them but the fact that Kingscliff is slightly more unexposed just swung me towards him."

Thornton made his choice between the Robert Alner-trained pair after a visit to the Dorset handler's stables, and it means that Mick Fitzgerald will get the ride on Sir Rembrandt.

Thornton, who took jump racing's blue riband on Cool Dawn for Alner in 1998, partnered Sir Rembrandt to get within half a length of triple Gold Cup hero Best Mate in the race last year.

He rode Kingcliff when he was second to Kicking King in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

It was hard for Andrew to choose as both horses are in good form Trainer Robert Alner

Kingcliff is the new favourite (7-2, Paddy Power) after Best Mate's was pulled out due to a burst blood vessel.

"Both horse are in fantastic form at the moment," admitted Thornton.

"Sir Rembrandt is going into the race better than he did last year when he was only beaten half a length by Best Mate."

Alner, whose wife Sally trained Kingscliff to victory in the 2003 Christie's Foxhunter Chase, had every sympathy for Thornton.

"It was hard for Andrew to choose and a decision I'm pleased not to have been put on the spot with," he said.

"Both are in great form and I know that Andrew is sweet on Sir Rembrandt, so that made it even more difficult for him.

"Sir Rembrandt came spot on for the race last year and appears to be a spring horse.

"What Andrew cannot understand is that Kingscliff and Sir Rembrandt are so far apart in the betting yet in truth there is not much between them."