Joe Tizzard: “Whatever his odds it’s special to have a Gold Cup runner”

Trainer and Coral ambassador Joe Tizzard discusses his hopes for Eldorado Allen ahead of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

Boodles Gold Cup, 3.30 – Eldorado Allen

Eldorado Allen is the outsider of the field in the Gold Cup, we understand that, but he’s finished second in a Charlie Hall this season, second in the Betfair Chase, fourth in the King George, so we feel he’s entitled to take his chance here.

We’ll ride him differently from how he went at Newbury last time, when he was in attack mode. He disputed the lead with Hitman and the pair of them ended up going too fast too soon, setting it up for Zanza, who won in a course record time. We’re being realistic here, so will ride him to finish as well as he possibly can.

He does have some decent Festival form, finishing second in an Arkle and third in a Ryanair, so we know he likes it around here, and if we ride him to see out his race, he could just pick up some pieces and nick a place in the first four or five.

I don’t think he’s ground dependent at all, he’s got form on all going, so any more rain that falls shouldn’t be an issue. It’s been a challenging season weather-wise for all racecourses, but in the circumstances I don’t think the ground can be an excuse this week, on the whole the right horses have been involved at the business end of races.

🗣 "There are horses higher in the betting that he's beaten in the past!"

🏇 @Coral ambassador @BrendanP1995 rides Eldorado Allen on day four of #CheltenhamFestival

🏆 It's Brendan's first Gold Cup, and he's looking to grab as much prize money as he can! pic.twitter.com/BJvC4nWKwF

— Coral (@Coral) March 17, 2023