Joe Tizzard: “I expect a big run from Aki Bomaye.”
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Coral ambassador gives team update and previews Saturday runners
It’s fair to say we hadn’t planned yesterday for Dad to announce his decision to hand over the licence to me, but he has been talking about it for some time, so it was not a surprise.
I’m 41-years-old and we’ve been moving in this direction for some time, so I’m very excited and very ready for the challenge. I’ve still got to do my modules, so will look to do that over the summer, and the change will then be made at the right time.
It feels the right time for me to take over and for Dad to take a step back but it’s not going to change the dynamic of what happens here on a day to day basis. Dad will still be on the gallops every morning and is going to be very much involved.
I’ve always thought that I would one day be a trainer right back to when I was a jockey. When I finished riding at Paul Nicholls fifteen years ago and came back here, the three of us (Kim, Colin and I) have been building this yard up together. So I never thought I’d do anything else, and now it’s my turn to take the licence on.
Saturday runners
13:50 Sandown – Road Senam and Striking A Pose
Road Senam came over from France with quite a reputation. He had some decent graded form over there. It hasn’t really happened, and I think he may be one of those French horses who takes a little time to acclimatise.
He’s improved with each run and his jumping is getting better. He should be more than capable of winning off his mark so we are running in these nice races. If he wins he lands a nice pot, and if he doesn’t then he’s still a maiden for next year. He’s going in the right direction, but whether he is ready to win a race like this I’m not sure.
Striking A Pose has done nothing wrong. He got a nice handicap mark and then won well at Wincanton, and then again at Exeter last time. This has always been the plan. He’s a gorgeous horse who is very well named. He looks the business. He has plenty of ability. I think he should be in the mix, given what he’s achieved and how highly we regard the horses.
14:17 Hereford – Aki Bomaye
He is a nice horse we bought in December after he won his point to point. He ran nicely first time at Ffos Las and just got tired going to the last on heavy ground. He improved no end for it and we expect a big run from him here.
15:27 Hereford – Carrick Roads
We’ve just been playing it cautious and waiting for the good ground, as he’s had a wind problem and soft ground catches it out. Hopefully it will be good to soft and that will suit him, but I’d be nervous if the ground turned too soft.
16:02 Hereford – Pingshou
He was a Grade 1 winner for us at Aintree a few years ago and it’s just not happened for him since. He seems in really good order at home and Hereford should suit him.
This spring is really a last chance saloon for him. He still seems to have some fire in the belly so we are looking forward to seeing him taking his chance.
16:10 Sandown – Lamanver Pippin
He has been struggling a little bit since his first run of the season when he finished third at Cheltenham. He was third in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival last season.
He has lost his way since then but I think he’s just one of ours that weren’t quite firing, so it will click again soon. He’s always been a bit in and out all his life, but when it does click he is more than talented enough to handle this mark.
Joe
