Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day Two blog: ‘This horse has been an absolute star’
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In this Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day two blog, the Coral ambassador previews his runners for the second day of the festival
Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day Two blog
This horse has been an absolute star for us this season, winning at Exeter and Newbury, and then giving us such a huge day when winning the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham, our first Grade One. You may say we got a bit lucky that day, but jumping is the name of the game, and he travelled and jumped well that day, and Jonbon made a mistake that made all the difference.
He has got a bit to find with the front three [El Fabiolo, Jonbon and Edwardstone] but if there are any chinks in their armour, our fellow will be there to pick up the pieces. Fred [Gingell] gets on so well with him, the horse is the old man of the partnership and Fred is the youngster, but they gel so well. [Owner] Terry Warner has always been a big supporter of Fred’s, and while Brendan [Powell] has done absolutely nothing wrong on him, he’s Fred’s ride now.
Edwardstone may well set the early pace, but we’ll be right there as well, as that’s the way to ride him, so if we lead or take a lead from Edwardstone, it won’t matter, he’ll be up there from the start. He’s a horse who’s won over 2 ½ miles, so we know he stays well, and if Edwardstone and Nutz can put the pressure on the two favourites, who knows how their jumping will hold up, and they know that the front pair won’t stop in front.
It is a proper championship race, and it’s great to have an in-form horse running for us, I’m not saying we will win, but if we can get into the prize money it will be a big day, and beyond that, we’ll see.
Triple Trade won’t might the conditions, as he goes on testing ground, although his recent form – four wins in his last seven runs – means he’s not in any way a well-handicapped horse, but I hope he’s still got some progression in him. I also think that if he can keep tabs on the pacesetters in the first half of the race, he stays further than this and so will be doing his best work in the last part of the race.
I’ve put a line through his last run at Lingfield, as he came back all wrong from there, and it turned out he had a sinus infection and lost a bit of condition, but he’s really blossomed in recent weeks and I couldn’t be happier with him. Any more rain won’t bother him, and I do think he could run well at a decent each-way price.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival
ITV will broadcast the first five races of each day at Cheltenham Festival this year, with coverage kicking off at 1pm and finishing at 4:30pm. The final two races of each can then be watched on Racing TV.
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
