CRACK CHASER
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COLIN TIZZARD fires his stable’s big guns this week.
“Rain is forecast, so all being well Thistlecrack will have his first run over fences at Chepstow on Tuesday,” said Tizzard, successful yesterday with Third Intention at Aintree as well as On Demand and Gentleman Jon at Wincanton.
“On Saturday Cue Card goes for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. It’s been a great day and as you can see the horses are in great form.”
The Dorset trainer has next month’s Hennessy Gold Cup in mind for Third Intention.
“He has had his wind done over the summer and that might just have helped him,” said Tizzard. “People have been a bit cruel about him in the past, but he hit the front today and never looked like stopping.
Pleased
“I was also pleased with the two horses [Sizing Platinum and Mick Thonic] which we ran for the first time for Alan and Ann Potts at Cheltenham on Saturday. We’ve only had them for a month after they arrived from Ireland. They both came second which pleased everyone.”
Thistlecrack, winner of last season’s World Hurdle at Cheltenham, heads the betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup despite having never jumped a fence in public.
“He’s schooled well and is ready to go,” said the trainer. “If we don’t get the rain he will have an entry at Wetherby.”
Cue Card, winner of last year’s Charlie Hall Chase, will not be locking horns with Coneygree in the Yorkshire race as the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will go for next month’s Betfair Chase at Haydock instead.
Sara Bradstock, wife of the gelding’s trainer Mark, said: “He’s going really well, but obviously we’re desperate for some rain so we can get him on the grass. so far because the ground has been so firm.”