Joe Tizzard weekend runners blog: 'He should take some beating'

Coral presents its latest Joe Tizzard blog, with the leading trainer previewing his runners this weekend at Cheltenham on Saturday and at Aintree and Wincanton on Sunday.

Lord Of Thunder ended his novice hurdling campaign with two wins, and it was always the plan to go novice chasing this season. I will just have a look at the course on Friday, as I wouldn’t want it too quick for him – those two hurdles wins were on soft and heavy – but genuine good, autumnal ground would be fine I’m sure.

He’s schooled well, and whilst he will improve for this first run, he’s as ready as we can get him at home and in a competitive little novice handicap, he does run off his correct mark and I don’t think he’ll be disgraced.

Copperhead was very impressive when winning one of these Veterans’ races at Chepstow last time, he really did love every minute of that race, he’s in the best form he has been for a few years, and he came bouncing out of the Chepstow race. Freddie [Gingell] gets a good tune out of him, and if he’s in the form he was at Chepstow, and all the signs say he is, he should take some beating here.

There’s also a Veterans’ race at Wincanton, over 2 ½ miles, and we run two. The 11-y-o Le Ligerien won the Kempton leg of this series last season, and is making his reappearance here, while the year-younger Kauto The King has been running well all summer and is a course and distance winner.

Le Ligerien is rated ten pounds higher but race fitness for Kauto means for me there isn’t much between them here. With only six runners, I doesn’t look the hottest race, and I would hope they both run well.

The Coral Welsh National would be the target for his horse if all goes to plan. He ended last season with a hat-trick of wins, and he’s won at Wincanton before, so this looks a good starting point. Nicky Henderson’s [Quick Draw] looks the one to beat, but we get almost a stone from him, so must have every chance.

American Land ran well over hurdles here ten days ago to finish third. He’s been schooling well over fences, and is rated 98, which I’m sure he ran at least to on that last run. If he can get into a nice rhythm over the bigger obstacles he should be there or thereabouts.

This is a nice mare, who will go hurdling after this, but this race has a decent prize pot and looks worth a go at. She ran well on her two bumper starts last season, and while the prize money means this looks a strong enough race, she has an engine for sure.

We run two in Wincanton’s bumper. The Coral Racing Club horse, Diamond Days, had a good away day at Salisbury recently, he went a good gallop and only got tired towards the end. He’s quite a sharp sort so good ground should suit, and Harry Kimber has done most of the work at home on him so we’re happy to have him take the ride here.

Tennessee Tango is a lovely big horse, and as he might need a bit of time, we’ll probably keep him to bumpers this season and go novice hurdling next season.  There are only eight runners here so this looks a lovely starting point for both, we never have our bumper horses fully revved up first time, so both will improve, and we’ll learn plenty about the pair here.

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