Awesome. That’s the word that best sums up Thistlecrack’s performance in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Cue Card probably didn’t run up to his best, but take nothing away from Thistlecrack; he killed off the opposition with some brilliant jumping and did not hit top gear.

People are saying it might be a different proposition come the Cheltenham Festival, but he’s been there enough times before and is pretty streetwise. He’s old enough for a novice, so I don’t think his inexperience over fences is going to be a factor.

There aren’t many putting their hands up as Gold Cup contenders and Colin Tizzard's star could face another small field in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup and dictate from the front end like we’re used to seeing.

One horse I would not underestimate is his stablemate Native River, who has gone from strength to strength. He put up an excellent weight-carrying performance to win the Coral Welsh National on Tuesday. There won’t be many in front of him come March and he looks a good each-way proposition at this point.

I was on the mark on Boxing Day with Doesyourdogbite, who won a nice handicap hurdle to make it three from three. We didn’t really know what to expect with him but he keeps on delivering. Presumably the Lanzarote back over course and distance would be his likely next start.

On to the weekend, and I’m looking forward to getting back on Buveur D’Air at Warwick in the Local Park Security Novices’ Chase. He has been rerouted from Haydock, which was abandoned on Thursday, and this looks a nice opportunity.

He was very, very impressive when winning on his chasing bow at Haydock, but he was entitled to win that day, as he was receiving a lot of weight from the runner-up Cloudy Dream.

Gino Trail comes in to the race on a hat-trick and Buveur D’Air will need to be on his A-game, but hopefully he can jump well and go on to win and we can learn more about him in the process.

The New Year’s Day fixture at Cheltenham signals the start of the new ITV contract.

Channel 4 have done a great job in promoting racing over the years, but it’s now ITV’s turn and I think it’s an exciting time for the sport. I’m sure they’ll bring a fresh approach – I’m a big fan of Ed Chamberlin – and hopefully the sport will get behind ITV and they’ll attract some new people.

My best ride of the day is Call To Order in the BetBright Casino Handicap Hurdle. He’s improved with each of his runs this season and appreciated the longer trip when winning over the New Course and distance last time. He’s relatively unexposed and we’re hoping for a big run.

Pingshou is up in class after winning at the track earlier this month. He will need to improve on that but Colin Tizzard’s horses are flying and if he can build on what he’s done so far then he will have a chance in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Capard King runs in the Watch Live Racing On Betbright.com Handicap Chase and would have an each-way chance on his fourth at Cheltenham at The Open, while Shantou Flyer, who has his first run for Rebecca Curtis in the BetBright Best for Festival Betting Handicap Chase, has some decent Irish form, which would give him a chance.

Camping Ground bids to win the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle for a second time. He wasn’t beaten far behind Josses Hill at Kempton on his seasonal debut and then was going well when we fell at the cross-fence at Newbury. It’s hard to know what to expect but he obviously has the form in the book to stake a claim here.

Aidan is sponsored by Racing UK, whose coverage on New Year's Eve from Newbury, featuring the Grade One Betfred Challow Hurdle, plus seven competitive races from Warwick, will be FREE to watch on Sky 432, Virgin 536 and on www.racinguk.com.