National Hunt trainer Colin Tizzard enjoyed more than a little bit of serendipity when Eldorado Allen capitalised on Gumball’s mistake at the second-last in a Novice Chase at Cheltenham in mid-November. The Dorset-based handler had endured a frustrating start to the 2020-21 jumps season, however, the six-year-old chaser’s victory at Prestbury Park has helped him turn a corner, and his stable could be worth keeping an eye on throughout the remainder of the National Hunt campaign.
Eldorado Allen’s victory was swiftly followed by another success for the stable with The Big Breakaway putting in an exemplary performance on his chasing debut. The five-year-old pulled ten lengths clear of Penfro to secure a quick-fire double for the former dairy farmer. Although the talented gelding was subsequently beaten at an odds-on price, there have been plenty of other winners in recent weeks, and the Tizzards now appear to be gearing up for a productive festive period.
💥 THE BIG BREAKAWAY 💥
— Exeter Racecourse (@ExeterRaces) December 4, 2020
In the paddock ahead of the Download The Tote Placepot App Novices’ Chase @ToteRacing @colintizzard pic.twitter.com/qri2nAdeea
With L’air Du Vent, War Lord, Striking a Pose and Darlac all recently triumphing for the yard, things finally appear to be heading in the right direction, and although the Tizzards may not be able to match the likes of Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls stride for stride, they have proved to be a thorn in the side of these high-profile operators for many years.
Last year, the trainer, who is assisted by his son Joe, saddled three Grade One winners. However, he failed to find a winner at the Cheltenham Festival for the second successive season. Stable star Lostintranslation finished third in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and, although he proved disappointing in testing conditions at Haydock at the end of November, he is amongst the favourites once again for the King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Although he isn’t likely to be listed amongst the stable’s leading lights, Lamanver Pippin has enjoyed a decent twelve months, and following back-to-back third-place finishes at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old gelding has been chalked up as the 10/1 joint-favorite in the latest horse racing betting for the 2020 Welsh Grand National. The former Jankel Novices’ Chase winner will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of stablemate Elegant Escape, who was victorious in the Chepstow marathon two years ago.
The Tizzard stable have a number of exciting newcomers who are likely to make an impact this season, however, there are also a number of fan favourites and experienced campaigners who are likely to return to the track this winter. Native River, who won the Denman Chase in February, could feature in the Welsh National with the 10-year old hoping to recreate his 2016 success in Monmouthshire. Meanwhile, the legendary Thistlecrack could be targeted at one of the long-distance hurdle contests at the beginning of 2021.
Native River wins a third Grade 2 Denman Chase under Jonjo O’Neill Jr 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9dP0wOxmug
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) February 8, 2020
Rose of Arcadia is a potentially exciting recruit who is worth keeping an eye on. The Cheveley Park-owned mare was victorious in the National Hunt Open Flat Race at Taunton in March, and despite making several mistakes on her debut over timber, she is expected to improve significantly in the coming months. Plenty is also expected of Honest Exchange, who was a close third at the Somerset track in mid-November.
The yard can boast an exciting array of jumping talent this season, and with a number of potential Cheltenham winners in their arsenal, the Tizzards are undoubtedly worth keeping an eye on throughout the winter months.
