POWER AND THE GLORY
TRAINER Colin Tizzard believes Lostintranslation has all the attributes to become a serious contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after the gelding landed the Betbright Dipper Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.
Sent to the front by Robbie Power, he looked cooked when collared by Defi Du Seul at the second-last fence, but when asked for a final effort he fought back like his life depended on victory.
“Hopefully, he will become a Gold Cup horse one day,” said Tizzard. “He’s got pace, and he stays – he’s got everything. And of course, he’s just got to improve 30lb!”
On The Blind Side, sent off the 9-4 favourite, was a bitter disappointment. He never was in contention and finished 78 lengths last of the four runners.
“We’ve been blessed by Thistlecrack and Native River in recent years and he could be our next good one,” added Tizzard.
The Dorset trainer is considering taking Power’s advice and head to next month’s Leopardstown Festival before returning to the Cheltenham Festival for JLT Chase in March.
But Tizzard has decided that Thistlecrack, an excellent second behind Clans Des Obeaux in last week’s King George VI Chase, does not need another run and will go straight to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup.
“Our best chance of winning another Gold Cup with him is to go there without another run,” added Tizzard.
“John and Heather Snook (the owners) have never had a runner in the Gold Cup and it is a case of keeping him sound.
“He’s been a difficult horse to train so he will have a racecourse gallop beforehand.”
Native River, who won last year’s race, is the one they all have to beat according to his trainer.
But it was not all good news for Tizzard as his Ladbrokes Gold Trophy winner Sizing Tennessee will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
Sue Smith and her husband Harvey, famed for his V sign salute in his day when show jumping, made the trip from Yorkshire worthwhile after Midnight Shadow showed a progressive profile when taking the Relkeel Hurdle.
“I hope to bring him back here in March for the Stayers’ Hurdle,” said Sue Smith. “Danny (Cook who rode) said we are better going for the Stayers’ Hurdle rather than the Champion Hurdle.”
Local trainer Fergal O’Brien welcomed the New Year in impressive fashion after Jarveys Plate, under Paddy Brennan, had his rivals strung out like washing when landing the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.