Joe Tizzard updates us on Thistlecrack and previews his Saturday runners

The latest insight from the Tizzard stables

Thistlecrack

We’re not writing off Thistlecrack running before the end of the season, but the injury now will dictate what we can do.

We want to give him every chance to run again and even though Cheltenham is too soon, there are some potential options in April just before the end of the season and if there is a small possibility that he can run again this year, then we will give him every opportunity to do so.

Battle of Ideas

We’re just waiting for the ground to get a bit better before we plot Coral Champions Club horse Battle of Ideas’ next run. That should start to come over the next fortnight with some cooler and drier weather.

We have had a very wet winter so far and that does suit a lot of our horses so I can’t complain, but for him it just doesn’t quite suit. He’s in lovely form at home though and there should be some good opportunities for him soon on some slightly better ground.

Saturday

16.05 Ascot – Faustinovick

Faustinovick is in very good form at home and ran well last time at Newbury until just running out of steam between the second last and last hurdles.

Sometimes horses need a run to realise that they can push themselves that extra bit more and he should handle the conditions and the track very well this weekend.

We hold him in high regard and if he can finish his race stronger this time around, he should run a big race.

13.05 Taunton – My Lady Grey

My Lady Grey ran very well at Chepstow in a good novice hurdle at the end of December and she’s on a very good mark still for this race.

She will definitely handle the ground and should be competitive in a big field here.

14.15 Taunton – Butterwick Brook

The penny has certainly dropped with this horse and he’s improved every time he has ran.

For a young horse he handles the heavy ground well and although Taunton might not be the perfect track for him, he is very capable of winning this race.

He should be a lovely horse next season over fences and we’re looking forward to what the future holds for him.

14.50 Taunton – Royal Vacation

Royal Vacation won this race last year so we know that the track and trip suit him perfectly.

It was much better ground twelve months ago but hopefully that won’t harm his chances and he has certainly retained the same ability as then.

Going back to a track and trip that he enjoys should bring out the best of him and although it’s a competitive race we are hopeful of a big race here.

Joe