SLATE IN GREAT SHAPE FOR CUP
TIZZARD HOPING IT WILL BE SECOND TIME LUCKY AT CHELTENHAM
JOE TIZZARD believes Slate House is handicapped to make amends in Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham after crashing out of last year’s contest when looking the winner.
“It was a shame as he was going very well when he fell at the second- last but it’s part of the game, you’ve got to jump to win,” said Tizzard, who assists his father Colin.
“We’re looking forward to running, he goes well fresh and likes the track.”
Slate House, a 10- 1 chance with the sponsors, runs off a 3lb higher mark than he carried last year. Tizzard added: “He looked like he was going to win off the mark he carried last year.
“He’s a Grade One winner since so he’s on a weight which should make him competitive.”
Robbie Power, like last year, will again be in the saddle.
“We also run The Russian Doyen and I give him a great each- way chance,” said Tizzard.
“He ran a solid race at the Cheltenham Festival 18 months and then got injured last year.
“He’s had a nice prep over hurdles. Obviously, he’s got to prove himself but he deserves to be in the race.”
Gavin Sheenhan, out of action since breaking his wrist in
September, has passed the doctor and will partner Simply The Betts in the headliner.
Tizzard is also upbeat about Lostintranslation making it back- to- back victories in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday week.
“He’s is exactly where we want him to be,” said Tizzard.
“He has had a racecourse gallop, and we are happy going there first time out.”
The eight- year- old will be having his first outing since finishing third in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Al Boum Photo and Santini and attempts to give the Tizzard team a fifth victory in the Grade One contest.
thought it was going time but it did work. promising right now.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure if I’ll put it in play yet just because of the unknown – it’s so close to the Masters – but if it is an improvement in every facet of launch conditions then I don’t see why not.”
The physics graduate has one simple equation: Distance equals success. The further he propels the ball off the tee, the greater his chances.
“I am just trying to get it up there like I’m in a batter’s box swinging as hard as I can trying to hit a home run,” he explained.
“It’s not just being quirky and doing things in my own way but it’s about the process of trying to be better each and every day and I think people are starting to understand that.
“There’s going to be times of failure and there’s going to be times of success and I’m going to fail a lot more than I succeed.
“If I go down a road and it doesn’t work, I’ll pull out and try something to take more It looks really else.” The distance gain with his usual 45.5- inch driver, never mind with the 48- incher [ the maximum permitted] has been extraordinary since he put on three stones of muscle in nine months through a daily combination of two to three hours in the gym and 6,000 calories.
“I did not think would get this type of result this quickly,” said Dechambeau.
“In the world of sports, stuff like that doesn’t happen unless there’s a superdedicated individual that has figured out some unique things. We are 20 years ahead of everyone.”
Well, 20 yards ahead anyway. Fellow American Justin Thomas played a practice round with Dechambeau on Monday.
“It’s a substantially easier golf course for him than it is for everybody else,” said Thomas.
“He’s just eating everything in sight and he’s working out a lot.
“Once he starts messing with that longer driver then, as crazy as it is, he might be able to hit it further.”
BE PREPARED: Dustin Johnson and Rory Mcilroy practice