Joe Tizzard: I think he’s fit enough to do himself justice
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Trainer and Coral ambassador Joe Tizzard discusses the chances of his four runners at Chepstow on Friday.
Although this meeting has grown in status in recent years, it’s always been an important one for us, as it is a stage of the season where things step up a gear. I remember winning on Cue Card here when he made his chasing debut, so we’ve never been afraid to bring a good horse here, they always do a great job with the ground, and it’s a lovely, fair jumping track. I walked the course on Tuesday and the ground is in terrific condition.
The recent warm, dry spell has had a slight impact on what we’ve been doing with some of them at home, and we won’t be running horses that like a bit of ease in the ground for a while, and while some of these we run this weekend will clearly improve for the run, they’re all ready to go and we’re happy with where we’re at.
We start with Lord Of Thunder, and there’s no two ways about it, we are chucking him in at the deep end here, but he’s a horse I like. He finished second in his point-to-point and was then third in his Bumper run, and while I could have aimed him lower, I think the trip will suit, he will learn plenty, and I don’t think he’ll finish last here! It’s a very good race but a nice place to start him off again.
C’Est Bleu was a filly we picked up for not a lot of money, she came out of a point-to-point yard and we’ve given her the one run so far, she jumped left that day and wasn’t very happy, but we’ve given her a break and I’m really happy with the improvement we’ve seen in her at home.
We probably need to get her a handicap mark before we look to win a race with her, but once we do I’m sure she is capable of picking up a race or two.
Le Ligerien is rated eight pounds lower over hurdles than he is over fences, and I think that makes him interesting in this seniors’ handicap hurdle, particularly as he loves it around Chepstow.
This is the first time we’re running the winter horses this season, but I think he’s fit enough to do himself justice here, I certainly see him with an each-way chance.
He’s a real yard favourite, who may not get his head in front very often, but he’s very consistent and deserved his win at this track last November. As I say, he gets beat more often than he wins, but he’s usually there or thereabouts, and hopefully will be again here.
Joe
