Colin Tizzard treble at Exeter


Colin Tizzard received a timely boost with a treble at Exeter on Sunday as both Golden Sunrise and Vision Des Flos won for the Venn Farm yard, while Elegant Escape enhanced his Cheltenham claims.

Golden Sunrise made it sixth time lucky when leading home a one-two for trainer Colin Tizzard in the 188Bet Daily Racing Specials "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Exeter.

Taking over matters at the last, the 2-1 shot, carrying the Brocade Racing colours of leading Gold Cup contender Native River, held off the late rally of stablemate Mount Rushmoore by three quarters of a length.

Owner Garth Broom said of the Paddy Brennan-ridden winner: "I can't believe this, what a two days. He is a work in progress. We've always liked him but he is very green. As a youngster he didn't stop growing and when we first ran him over hurdles he was so green.

"Hopefully he might be a Gold Cup horse further down the line. He is out of a half-sister to Kicking King."

Later on, Vision Des Flos finally came of age to give Tizzard a quick-fire double with a facile success in the In Play Betting At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle.

Having claimed the Listed contest 12 months ago with dual Grade One winner Finian's Oscar the Milborne Port handler landed it again after the five-year-old finally opened his account over hurdles on his first start since undergoing a wind operation.

Travelling strongly throughout in the hands of Tom Scudamore the 15-8 shot hit the front over the third last before drawing right away to defeat favourite Mercenaire by 31 lengths.

Joe Tizzard, son and assistant trainer, said: "We threw him in the deep end as if we were going to win one we were going to win a nice a one rather than go pot hunting.

"We've just tweaked his wind. The rest got stuck in the ground and he handled the ground better than anything else. It was a lovely performance.

"It is a good pot to win and lovely for the horse to have that experience as he was bought to do that.

"He was impressive at Punchestown and it has taken a while for it all to click together. His wind stopped him at Hereford a bit.

"He has got the entries (Supreme and Ballymore) and that is something we have got to decide what is right for the horse.

"Off the back of that he looks like one for the two and a half mile race if he goes there, which I think he will."

Elegant Escape landed the treble for Tizzard with an impressive success in the Six Nations Rugby At 188Bet Graduation Chase.

Tom O'Brien led for much of the race aboard the xis-year-old who jumped well on his way to a 13-length victory over Ramses De Teillee.

Sky Bet cut him to 7/1 from 9/1 for the four-miler and to 14/1 from 16s for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


Richard Johnson was seen at his most effective when driving Lovenormoney home to glory in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

After racing prominently throughout the two-mile-seven contest the Warren Greatrex-trained seven-year-old looked held on the run to the last by Solomn Grundy.

Despite still having a bit to find after the final flight the 11-4 favourite stayed on in dour fashion before claiming victory by six lengths.

Johnson said: "He was the same at Chepstow, you never thought he was going to win but the further he went the better your chance. These conditions suit him.

"Unfortunately the Final (at Cheltenham) I can't imagine will be up his street on better ground. He does respond, the more you ask the more he gives you. He has had a good year and if the soft ground stays around you would probably see him again."


Band Of Blood made his first start in 661 days a winning one when recording a facile success in the Champions League Betting At 188Bet Veterans' Handicap Chase.

The Dr Richard Newland-trained 11-year-old defied a lengthy absence when taking the three-mile contest by 15 lengths from former Charlie Hall Chase winner Harry Topper who was the only other finisher, to register his first victory since October 2014.

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of the 11-2 winner, said: "Luckily he is a fantastic jumper. He has done plenty of work and he hasn't been away anywhere but as you know with Dr Newland he is able to get one fit.

"His attitude today was fantastic. He has come right down the handicap from where he was and if he was to find some of that form again it was going to be in a race like today where they were going to go a nice honest gallop."

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