Joe Tizzard: “Ainchea is a really progressive horse”

2017 has been a cracking year for the yard. At the end of last season we had a great Aintree and then a really good Punchestown.  We then expanded again over the summer which was a big investment but really exciting, and we filled all the new boxes up, and we’ve then had a really good start to this season. These are exciting times, and the business is moving in the direction we want it to. The quality of horses is improving so there is a lot to look forward to in 2018.

It was a big shock to lose Alan and Ann Potts within three months of each other. We had some brilliant times with them last season, and it was just very sad to lose them both. We are very lucky that we are carrying on with the Potts’ horses, and will be able to see them throughout their careers. We are really looking forward to seeing all the Potts’ family members down at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, where we are running three of their horses. It should be a good day.

12.15 Cheltenham – Ainchea

He’s one of our nicest four year olds. He was green as grass at Sandown but then the penny dropped and he still managed to win nicely. He’s gone beautifully at home this week and he’s a really progressive horse.

He’s up in class but he’s a good horse so deserves it. He’s also up in trip but he needed every yard of the two miles at Sandown so we think he wants it. Obviously there’s always a question mark over a four year old running on testing ground, but he’s a big, strong chap and he should handle it.

1.25 Cheltenham – Sizing Tennessee

This has turned out to be a hot race but that’s the world he’s in now. He’s operated around Cheltenham, and he’s a horse that needs as much practice with his jumping as possible, so this is his next stepping stone. He’s not without a chance.

2.00 Cheltenham – Viconte Du Noyer and Quite By Chance

Viconte Du Noyer has handled the heavy ground around Cheltenham before and we think the extended two and a half mile trip is perfect for him. He’s on a high handicap mark but he’s certainly competitive still.

Quite By Chance has been in the form of his life for the last eighteen months and he has performed well around Cheltenham before. This looks a nice opportunity for him in a competitive handicap.

3.10 Cheltenham – Royal Vacation

We are running Royal Vacation back over hurdles. He’s been pulled up in three of his last four chases so we wanted to get a confidence booster into him. We could have run him in a handicap but thought that would be every bit as hard, so we have plumped for this decent race with a smaller field.

3.45 Cheltenham – Copperhead

He was the first of our three year old babies to run and he ran okay at Wincanton. The owners are up at Cheltenham and he is ready for his next run so we’ve come here. He’s not the type that’s going to win a bumper necessarily but he’s a big strong horse for the future.

12.40 Exeter – Unsafe Conduct

It’s his third run and should get a handicap mark after this. He’s had all sorts of niggly problems, so we are looking for a nice clear round. Once he’s handicapping it will be a lot easier for him.

1.50 Exeter – Sizing Cusimano

He ran well at Taunton in a competitive race last time. It looked like he was crying out for a trip. He has come on for the run, and would have a nice chance in this.

3.00 Exeter – Valhalla

The race has cut up. It’s only just over two miles but around Exeter on this ground it will ride like a two and a half mile race. It looks a good opportunity for him after his fall in the Rising Stars last time. He has a big chance. This trip around Exeter should be right up his street.

Joe