Joe Tizzard: “Fiddlerontheroof has what you need to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle’”
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Coral ambassador previews the Tizzard stables’ Cheltenham Day One runners
13.30 Cheltenham (Supreme Novices Hurdle) – Fiddlerontheroof
He’sin great form. He hasn’t run since the Tolworth Hurdle when he became a Grade 1winner. This race has always been the plan.
He’s astrong staying two-miler which is what you need to win a Supreme, and it lookslike he’s going to get his ground. It’s not like he’s dependent on soft ground,but he’ll handle soft better than most.
Theyare due some rain overnight which will make it honest soft ground and it willplay to our horse’s strengths.
14.50 Cheltenham (Ultima Handicap Chase) – Mister Malarkey
He’sanother horse that is in great form. He only got a 4lb rise for winning acompetitive race at Kempton nicely last time.
Thebetter ground was key to that victory but he has won on soft ground, and provedthat he can handle it.
Forwhatever reason he’s a better horse now than he was a couple of months ago, andhe’s going to Cheltenham in great form and off a mark that he’s capable ofbeing competitive of.
JonjoO’Neill Junior rides him and he gets on well with him. Mister Malarkey was thefirst horse that he rode for us, at Aintree last year when he came second toKildisart. I think the race will be run to suit the horse.
16.50 Cheltenham (Randox Health Novice Handicap Chase) – Highest Sun
He hasto answer a few questions after his last couple of runs. Something was stoppinghim, whether it was because a few of our horses were a bit below par I don’tknow. We have decided to put the tongue strap on him for that reason. He is ahorse we hold in high regard.
Thisrace is competitive and the Irish tend to have the edge in it, but if thetongue strap finds a little bit of improvement, then some of his best formwould give him a chance.
He’snot there just to have a runner, and if everything goes to plan then we thinkhe could be competitive. But he does need to improve on his last two runs.
17.30 Cheltenham (The National Hunt Chase) – Lamanver Pippin
Hehad a small setback after his last run at Chepstow, where he was veryimpressive, but he’s fine now.
In anormal year you might think it was a step too far, but this race has cut upthis year, and he gallops, he jumps and he stays, so we think he has an each-waychance.
On theratings it looks like he has a bit to find, and if we’d managed to get a run inbetween Chepstow and this race then I think he would have been a livecontender.
Joe
