Joe Tizzard: “It will take a good horse to beat Valhalla”
Published:
We get the latest from Gold-Cup winning stables
This one is a relatively quiet weekend for us after a busy time lately. We’re still all absolutely glowing with pride after Native River’s Gold Cup win and I don’t think it will properly sink in for a long time.
Everybody has been congratulating us and we’re so grateful to all the support. The walls in our kitchen are absolutely covered in cards and letters from people to say well done.
We plan on continuing to enjoy it for a while yet and Native River will be parading at Taunton and Wincanton over the next few days as part of the celebrations which is going to be really special.
All of our horses have come out of Cheltenham fit and healthy.
Plus,with the ground shaping up to be better in the coming weeks there’s no reason why a lot of them can’t run again at some of the big Festivals coming up at Aintree, Ayr and Punchestown.
Saturday
It will happen one day for Unsafe Conduct. He’s been very keen in his races, which hasn’t helped him.
He just struggles to settle but he finishes his races well. In an ideal world he’d want a bit better ground but we’re keen to give him the run here.
My Lady Grey ran solidly at Ascot in a decent race last time out and this is a good opportunity for her.
She’s improved for that and certainly has an each-way chance.
Sunday
3.10 Ascot – Valhalla
Valhalla has been so good for us this year, winning twice so far, and this race only having three runners should really suit him.
Adrien Du Pont will be the one to beat but we saw at Ludlow this week a hot favourite getting turned over in a small field and if there are any chinks in the favourite’s armour we will be right there to exploit them.
He was the outsider of a field of three when he won at Wincanton and he’s really got his confidence up at the moment over fences and it will take a good horse on the day to beat him.
4.20 Ascot – Theatre Guide
He is in cracking form at home and we’re very hopeful that he’s at the right stage to be very competitive in a veteran’s race.
These races are always competitive and take a good bit to win but he should be in the shake-up.
