Joe Tizzard: “It’s exciting to see Native River back in action”
Joe Tizzard with the lowdown on Saturday’s runners
Former Gold Cup winner Native River is the star attraction for Team Tizzard on Saturday with horses in action at Sandown races, Aintree races and Chepstow races.
Speaking exclusively to stable sponsor Coral the assistant trainer also provided an update on some of the Tizzard stable stars:
“It’s a busy weekend for us, with runners all over the country, and that’s exactly how we’d want it to be at this important stage of the season.
“The horses continue to perform really well, and we enjoyed a nice double at our local track Wincanton on Thursday.
“Looking back to last weekend, Fiddlerontheroof ran a mighty race in the Ladbrokes Trophy off a big weight, and after that second place he’s gone up a further nine pounds to 159, which puts him in that slight no man’s land between handicaps and graded races, so we’ll take our time to figure out a plan for him.
“As for Lostintranslation, as long as the ground doesn’t come up very soft at Kempton races, he’ll likely take his chance in the King George.”
Team Tizzard Saturday runners
Sandown 12.05 – Name In Lights
Name In Lights ran a lovely race at this track first time up this season, and I’m sure he’ll have learned plenty that day and improved for it.
This looks a good little race, but this is a horse we hold in quite high regard among our novice hurdles, so if he can finish in the first three, it would be a step forward to a nice future.
Sandown 12.40 – Shirocco’s Dream
This mare won nicely at Exeter races last month, and I think she’s improved for that run, she looked a bit big that day and has come on for it.
Off a mark of 111 I think she’s nicely handicapped, this looks a lovely race for her and I expect her to be right in the mix.
Aintree 12.55 – Reserve Tank
He was running a lovely race when he fell at Stratford last time out, and for a dual Grade One winner, he’s dropping down the handicap to a workable looking mark now.
That said, he’s not quite the same horse over fences as he was over hurdles, although he’s schooled well at home since the fall, and this looks the right race for him.
Sandown 1.15 – Triple Trade
Triple Trade has run in three hurdle races and progressed each time, this is his first time in a handicap, so we’ll see if a mark of 118 is fair or not tomorrow!
I do think he’s capable of winning a straight novice race, so if that’s the case, he should be capable of being competitive in a race like this.
Sandown 1.50 – War Lord
War Lord has been brilliant for us this season, winning both his starts over fences, and as a result deserves this chance in a Grade One.
As you’d expect it’s a tough looking race, with Third Time Lucki two from two in chases like our fellow, and we’ll need to take a step forward, but this is a race he should be running in, he’s very exciting.
Chepstow 1.57 – Faustinovick
He’s finished second seven times for us, so he’s always competitive but just needs a change of luck. Harry Kimber takes a useful seven pounds off his back, he’s run well here at Chepstow before, and this is a nice starting point for him.
Aintree 2.05 – Native River
What a star he has been for us, he’s in beautiful form, and enjoyed an away day for a racecourse gallop, so he’s fit and well, and been schooling really well.
The more rain the better for him, as it does just slow his rivals down, but he’s still the highest rated here off 166, and he still looks as good as that at home, so he’ll run a race here, we’re very excited to see him in action.
Sandown 3.00 – Christmas In April
He ran an absolute blinder at Carlisle last time, but just ran into a well-handicapped horse. He looks in lovely form at home, he’s an out and out stayer, and this has been the target since Carlisle.
It’s a competitive looking race, but he ticks a few boxes and we’re hopeful of a big run.
Sandown 3.35 – Elegant Escape
This hurdles run is very much a pipe opener for the Coral Welsh National, we need to get a run into him, and this was a better option than taking him for a racecourse gallop.
Two miles will probably be too sharp for him but it will blow the cobwebs away, and we can head on to Chepstow.
Chepstow 3.45 – Often Overlooked
This is a good starting point for the Coral Champions Club-owned horse.
We’ve waited a while to get him to the track, and while I’m not sure he’s a speedy two mile bumper type, it’s just nice to get him racing, and we can get him over hurdles after this introduction.
Hopefully he’ll be doing his best work towards the finish, we’ll learn a bit more about him and make plans for the future.
Joe
