The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tizzard strikes gold at last
Trainer finally achieves his lifelong goal of coveted win
Colin Tizzard achieved a lifelong ambition as Native River gave him the victory he has craved above everything else with a courageous success in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Dorset-based trainer turned what had so far been a frustrating campaign on its head when finally getting his hands on the coveted prize, after the seven-year-old ultimately ground his rivals into submission.
Having made a winning comeback when landing the Denman Chase at Newbury last month, the 5-1 shot – who was third 12 months ago – ensured the blue riband would be a thorough test of stamina when sent on early by Richard Johnson.
But with Might Bite keeping him company throughout the three-and-aquarter-mile contest – which very few got into – it looked like he was a sitting duck as the Nicky Henderson-trained favourite ranged up on the bridle approaching two out.
Few horses are quite as tough as Native River, though, and with his stamina assured, last year’s Hennessy and Welsh National hero found plenty for pressure to see off Might Bite by four and a half lengths.
Tizzard said: “He was a good horse today and the chap on him was as good as the horse. He was brave and the horse was brave. He kept pushing on. It was poetry.
“Might Bite came there and looked as if he would take us when he liked, but he put in two very good jumps at the last two. I can’t believe I’ve watched him do it.
“It was almost unreal. It is the fourth day here and the Irish have been winning everything and we thought our form isn’t as good as everyone else’s and then Richard Johnson gives that brave horse that sort of ride and it has paid
dividends. It is absolutely brilliant.”
He added: “I came here and stood on the Red Cross hut at the last fence when I was younger and I never dreamt I would have runner here, let alone a runner and a winner. For me, the Gold Cup is everything in life.
“I can’t believe it. It doesn’t get better, does it? It is fantastic.”
Tizzard’s son and assistant, Joe, said: “Dicky (Johnson) gave him a fantastic ride. It looked like Might Bite was going to maybe outclass him, but he’s a tough, honest horse – he’s unbelievable.
“All credit to Dicky, he set the fractions.”
Having been out of luck all meeting, the win was also a welcome tonic for dual champion jockey Johnson, who was landing the race for the second time having claimed glory back in 2000 with Looks Like Trouble.
Johnson, speaking before being hit with a seven-day whip ban and a fine of £6,550 for his efforts, said: “I’m speechless. He’s been a fantastic horse for me and I was lucky to pick up the ride on him.
“He’s just amazing. He jumps for fun. I was getting squeezed, but at the second-last and the last he just wanted it so much.”