TIZZARD’S BEST TO COME
Colin Tizzard may have been out of luck in yesterday’s King George Vi Chase, but ELEGANT
ESCAPE (Chepstow, 2.50) could put a smile back on his face in the Coral Welsh national.
although lostintranslation failed to fire in the Boxing day showpiece, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the West Country handler who witnessed Slate House land Grade one glory in the Kauto Star novices’ Chase.
The Tizzard operation has cultivated a burgeoning reputation for training high-class staying chasers in recent seasons and Elegant Escape certainly fills that profile.
a game winner of today’s feature 12 months ago, landing a sizeable punt in the process, the seven-yearold’s performances suggest he has improved again this term.
in some ways, the selection was slightly unfortunate not to win the ladbrokes Trophy at newbury last time when a small error down the back straight on the final circuit left him out of his ground when the pace was quickening.
To his credit, Elegant Escape achieved something few of his rivals managed in making ground on those that were better positioned at the head of affairs and, to be beaten just two lengths at the line by progressive chasers like de rasher Counter and The Conditional, was an excellent effort conceding upwards of a stone.
His class and consistency again demand he must shoulder top-weight this afternoon, but he has proved previously that a hefty weight is no barrier to his chance and conditions should be absolutely ideal at the Welsh venue.
Paul nicholls has a worse record in this race than a turkey at Christmas, but Truckers lodge and Yala Enki, third in this last year, have outstanding chances, while now McGinty beat de rasher Counter emphatically at today’s venue last year and has been laid out for this event.
Belami des Pictons will be a strong fancy by many to land the penultimate race on Kempton’s card and understandably so given he shaped with encouragement on his Cheltenham comeback in a warm handicap.
if he can back up that performance he will be tough to beat, but a consistent run of form has eluded the eight-year-old in recent seasons and JUST A STING (Kempton, nap, 3.05) may offer a little value against the likely favourite.
Harry Fry’s string burst into life yesterday with a Wincanton double and his representative was runnerup in this event last year when only adrien du Pont proved too strong in the straight.
CHACUN POUR SOI (leopardstown, 1.10) and ABACADABRAS (leopardstown, 1.45) are both prohibitive prices for their respective Grade one assignments today, but they are tough to oppose.
The former looked a world beater at Punchestown in the spring when humbling defi du Seuil, while abacadabras chased home the imperious Envoi allen on his latest start.