Joe Tizzard Saturday runners blog: 'I expect him to outrun his odds'

Leading trainer Joe Tizzard shares his latest Coral blog previewing his three runners for a big day of racing at Newbury on Saturday.

We have three good runners at a meeting we’ve enjoyed a bit of success at over the years, starting with Eldorado Allen in the Denman Chase, a race he won three years ago. I did also have him in the Veterans’ Chase at Warwick, but he’s still on a fairly high mark so he’s been carrying a lot of weight in those handicaps, and as his best form has come around Newbury, we made the decision to run here.

It's an open looking contest, and none of the eight can be ruled out. With any luck we might get some drying ground, as that would be in his favour, so we’re happy to have a crack at this good pot. He does have a bit to find with some of them, but if he does find life a bit tough here, the handicapper should at least drop him a few pounds, which should help going forward.

A race that would have been dominated by Sir Gino, his unfortunate absence has obviously made this look a very different race. Regardless of Nicky Henderson’s star running or not though, it was always the plan to come here with JPR One as the stepping stone to the big spring festivals, and we saw no need to change that despite the presence of Sir Gino.

Like Eldorado Allen, the drier the ground the better for this fellow, he seems in great form at home, and I am surprised he’s still the outsider of the field, I really am, on what he’s already achieved. He might well find one or two too good, but I do expect him to outrun his odds.

The form of his second to Handstands at Ffos Las last time was given a major boost when that one won the Grade One Scilly Isles last weekend. The Ffos Las race was a Grade Two and we’re back in novice handicap company here, which will suit him. 

He’s been a bit of a slow-burner over fences, as he was over hurdles, but he’s really got to grips with it now, and he’s in rude health at home, so I think he’s my best chance of a winner on the day.

View the latest horse racing odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication