THISTLE DO! Superstar passes test
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On just his second attempt at fences, Colin Tizzard’s superstar made one serious jumping error and a few minor mistakes. But despite being too brave at some of the jumps, he still sauntered to victory to make it two from two over the bigger obstacles. He was generally left unchanged as 7-2 favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. At the ditch after the water he stood off too far for Tom Scudamore and dragged his legs through the birch. Against three inferior rivals it proved no issue but thoughts of a potential King George VI Chase run on Boxing Day as opposed to a crack at the Feltham Novices’ Chase were being tempered afterwards. Tizzard is now thinking of running him again at Newbury later this month. He said: “Everyone is going to scrutinise his jumping because he is such a big powerful horse who gallops so well and there’s nothing else to talk about. He JASON HEAVEY has tremendous scope and it’s nice to get another run under his belt.
“When he was in first or second gear he seemed to be thinking, ‘I’ll have a go at this one’ but he’s good when he gets in deep. He had his head in his chest, as he should.
“He’s not the finished article and I can’t see any point in staying in his stable for the next six weeks.
“I’d like him to take on more rivals but people won’t take us on.
“If you don’t get nervous or apprehensive training a horse like this you must be stone-cold dead. It’s fantastic to be part of him but we’re on a learning curve.”
Jonjo O’Neill ended a barren run with victory in the BetVictor Gold Cup with Taquin Du Seuil. He wore down long-time leader Village Vic in the dying strides.
He said: “He was in great form at home and he had a lovely prep run at Chepstow and had no hiccups since then.
“Turning for home I thought he was in trouble but he did keep galloping. He loves this place and with the drop of rain last night, my prayers were answered.”