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21 Mar 2018

Colin Tizzard taking Cheltenham Gold Cup form to Aintree


Horse trainer Colin Tizzard was in dreamland at the Cheltenham Festival. His horse, Native River, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as he outlasted the favourites and shot the trainer into stardom. Tizzard's win has sent the horse racing community abuzz. Some have wondered just who the trainer is and if his horses can continue their form at the Grand National. Horse racing fans wanting to follow Tizzard and his exciting horses can do so, at Sbat as he attempts to win the various races at Grand National this year.

Starting at a price of 5/1, Native River bested the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Might Bite by 4 ½ lengths. Tizzard didn't just train the Gold Cup winner at Cheltenham. Kilbricken Storm won the Spa Novices' Hurdles and landed over £70,000 in prize money.

Tizzard's two wins at Cheltenham give plenty of optimism that he can do the same at Aintree. Tizzard has had previous success at Aintree and the Grand National. In 2017, the horse trainer pulled of an incredible treble thanks to his horses Pingshou, Fox Norton and Ultragold. In particular, Ultragold's performance was one to remember. The horse was a 50/1 shot to win the Topham Chase, which he did in shock fashion.

Following his wins in 2017, Tizzard's career looked to be on an astronomical ascent. His treble was the groundwork, but it wasn't until the Cheltenham Gold Cup that Tizzard's potential as a trainer was fulfilled. Although he is unknown to most casual horse racing fans and has a name not quite as synonymous with British and Irish horse racing as his counterparts, Tizzard is on the cusp of being a major player in the sport.

Tizzard currently has one horse in the running for the Grand National race. Sizing Codelco is 66/1 to win the race. It is an outsider's price for the event. Sizing Codelco did compete at Cheltenham, but the horse pulled up and didn't finish the Ultima Handicap Chase. Depending on the horse's fitness, Sizing Codelco could miss out on the Grand National. It would be a missed chance for Tizzard in the race, but he will have others featured at Aintree during the festival.

Tizzard's success at Cheltenham stopped the assault on all the races by trainers Gordon Elliot and Willie Mullins. Tizzard could be the same foil for the two leading horse racing trainers at Aintree, but he may need another shock performance like he got in 2017.

This season hasn't been without problems for Tizzard. Despite his great successes, one of Tizzard's top horses, Thistlecrack, has not been able to race. The horse was ruled out of the 2018 season due to injury. It is Thistlecrack's second major injury of his career, and there are worries that he won't return to run. The horse suffered a stress fracture in his leg, and when it occurred, most believed Tizzard's hopes of winning the Gold Cup were lost. 

However, the trainer overcame the loss of his horse Thistlecrack the cup with Native River. Now with the Grand National approaching, Tizzard could land more prize money and silverware when he takes his horses to Aintree.