Joe Tizzard: “Buckhorn George should take a lot of beating”

Muffins For Tea ran a nice race over hurdles last time on his return – behind the subsequent Coral Welsh National winner, Potters Corner – and although the handicapper has probably still got his measure, he’ll be a lot fitter for that Chepstow run. I do think he’s on a high enough mark though.

Exeter 15.00 – War Lord

War Lord wouldn’t be without a chance here, he does have to carry a penalty for his earlier win, but two miles around here will be perfect for him, and he will definitely handle the ground.

Exeter 15.35 – Buckhorn George 

Buckhorn George is a lovely young horse who’s improved with every run, including a good second to Sporting John here last time.

He’s getting sharper at his hurdles with each run, and with Dickie [Johnson] on board, he should take a lot of beating here, he looks to be our best chance of a New Year’s Day winner.

Exeter 16.05 – Shybairnsgetnowt

Shybairnsgetnowt is the first of the babies that we’ve run, he’s always been quite forward and we took him to Larkhill for a gallop around the point-to-point course.

He’s a nice sort, but we don’t win too many bumpers first time up as we wouldn’t push them hard early on, so we’ll find out where we are with him but would expect him to improve for the run and the experience.

Update on Lostintranslation and Elegant Escape

Two of our stable stars were fine after their Christmas exertions. Lostintranslation had a small soft palate wind-op on Monday, and he’s back on the horse-walker now.

We had talked about it in the past but didn’t think it needed doing, but the soft ground at Kempton exposed it. One bad run certainly doesn’t make him a bad horse, and we’ll look for one run for him ahead of the Gold Cup.

Elegant Escape bounced out of the Coral Welsh National, it was always a big ask off top weight to win the race again, but he still ran a cracker. He’ll also get a Gold Cup entry, and a Grand National entry, and we’ll work back from Aintree.

Joe