Joe Tizzard: “We’re really looking forward to running Thistlecrack”

The latest insight from the Tizzard stables

12.15 Newbury – Katahdin

He ran at Newbury last time, he’s a nice horse but he just needs to learn. He jumped a bit novicey and then got tired. He missed all of last year.

We just thought we were better coming here to a big galloping track, as he’d learn more running in this than he would running around a little track like Plumpton.

We think a bit of him, but it looks a hot race.

13.20 Newbury – Faustinovick

Last year we only managed to get one run into him. He’s improved for his run up at Carlisle. We’re expecting a bold show from him.

We hold him in high regard and we expect him to take a bit of beating.

14.25 Newbury – Vision Des Flos

We’ve decided to go chasing with him and he’s the highest rated in this race. He’s now got to convert that rating over fences.

He schooled a lot last year but he was just unlucky to unship on his debut, and as we had a lot of novice chasers we decided to stick to hurdles. Then this year he ran well with a penalty up at Aintree over hurdles, so is in decent form.

If he gets into a rhythm he won’t be too far away. Champ will obviously take a bit of beating but nobody should underestimate Vision Des Flos. Most importantly we want to see a nice, clear round but we definitely expect him to be one of our top novices by the end of this season.

15.00 Newbury – Thistlecrack

We are really looking forward to running him. He was a bit late coming back in but he’s had a couple of away days at Exeter and Newbury,and he’s been working nicely.

This is a stepping stone for the King George, but he’s in good enough nick, so if there are any chinks in the armour of his opponents then he’ll be there or thereabouts. But it is all about the King George really and he will probably need the run a little bit.

We just want to see a bit of fire in his belly, and if he shows a bit and then gets tired, we’ll be happy.

Joe