Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day Two blog: ‘This horse has been an absolute star’

In this Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day two blog, the Coral ambassador previews his runners for the second day of the festival

Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day Two blog

Joe Tizzard Cheltenham Day One blog

3.30 – Elixir De Nutz

This horse has been an absolute star for us this season, winning at Exeter and Newbury, and then giving us such a huge day when winning the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham, our first Grade One.  You may say we got a bit lucky that day, but jumping is the name of the game, and he travelled and jumped well that day, and Jonbon made a mistake that made all the difference.

He has got a bit to find with the front three [El Fabiolo, Jonbon and Edwardstone] but if there are any chinks in their armour, our fellow will be there to pick up the pieces.  Fred [Gingell] gets on so well with him, the horse is the old man of the partnership and Fred is the youngster, but they gel so well.  [Owner] Terry Warner has always been a big supporter of Fred’s, and while Brendan [Powell] has done absolutely nothing wrong on him, he’s Fred’s ride now.

Edwardstone may well set the early pace, but we’ll be right there as well, as that’s the way to ride him, so if we lead or take a lead from Edwardstone, it won’t matter, he’ll be up there from the start.  He’s a horse who’s won over 2 ½ miles, so we know he stays well, and if Edwardstone and Nutz can put the pressure on the two favourites, who knows how their jumping will hold up, and they know that the front pair won’t stop in front.

It is a proper championship race, and it’s great to have an in-form horse running for us, I’m not saying we will win, but if we can get into the prize money it will be a big day, and beyond that, we’ll see.