TIZZ ON THE FIZZ
COLIN TIZZARD, successful with Native River in last Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, hopes the celebrations continue with The Dutchman in next month’s Randox Health Grand National.
After the trainer landed a double with Bally Longford and Sizing Granite at Newbury yesterday, both partnered by Harry Cobden, his son, Joe, said: “Dad couldn’t be here today as he’s attending another party.
“It’s been a great week and we’re still celebrating. We didn’t have runners the day after the Gold Cup, so we were able to go to the local pub and that’s when it hit home.
“I’m half thinking about the race (Gold Cup) next year. It’s brilliant. It brought a tear to my eye and that’s never happened before.”
Convincing
The Tizzards have not ruled out Native River running again this season but if he does it is expected to be in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
More immediately, they are making a convincing case for The Dutchman in the National despite the gelding failing to fire on his latest outing.
“Unfortunately, he broke a blood vessel in the Grand National Trial (Haydock) last time,” said Joe. “He had won impressively on heavy ground in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock the time before.
“We’ve been easy on him since Haydock and he seems to be really well in himself.
“I think the race should suit. We’re hopeful he will stay, and he also jumps very well which is always important for a test like Aintree.”
Tizzard has yet to secure a jockey for The Dutchman, a 33-1 chance for the Aintree marathon which takes place on April 14, as Cobden, the gelding’s regular rider, has been claimed by Paul Nicholls for Warriors Tale.
But Cobden will maintain the partnership with the Tizzard-trained Ultragold in the Topham. The pair sprang a surprise in last year’s race when the gelding was an unconsidered 50-1 shot.
Regarding the expected retirement of Cue Card, pulled up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last week, Tizzard added: “Dad will have a chat with Jean (Bishop, the gelding’s owner) on Sunday at Ascot.”
Nicky Henderson, also on the mark at Newbury with Darius Des Bois, confirmed Gold Present for the National, a race that has eluded the four-times champion trainer.
“The plan is go to Aintree,” said Henderson. “He was running a good race in the Topham (run over a circuit of the National course) last year before he got knocked over.”
Henderson said his three Cheltenham big guns were all in good shape and could all be out again soon.
“The plan is for Buveur D’Air to run at Aintree like last year (where he won).
“Altior could go to Aintree or Sandown and Might Bite is fine. We have the four weeks between Cheltenham and Aintree. They will tell us when and where they can run.
“The intention is to run all three again this season.”