Cheltenham Festival: Tizzard primed to deliver in a Gold Cup packed with story potential

  Tizzard has just one word for his position as the trainer of the moment — luck.

The 61-year old west country handler sits second in this year's Champion Trainer standings behind ten-time winner Paul Nicholls.

But he could soon move ahead with his two stable stars, Cue Card and Native River, strongly fancied for Friday's £575,000 Gold Cup, the highlight of this week's Cheltenham Festival.

"There is no way I would want one to win more than the other, I just want the best horse to win and them both to come back sound,” said Tizzard, though there is a perceptible glint in his eye when he talks about 11-year old Cue Card, who would be in the oldest winner of the race since What A Myth in 1969.

If Cue Card obliges then he'll be the most popular Gold Cup winner since Kauto Star's second victory eight years ago - race cards and hats will fly, the roof will be raised. He has the swagger of a superstar and a resume that includes 16 wins including host of grade one.

Owned by 83-year-old Jean Bishop, he started last year's race as red-hot favourite, only to fall under jockey Paddy Brennan as the contest was starting to hot up. Tizzard remains convinced he would have won.

"I know it for certain and that's not taking anything away from the winner,” he added. "It's a jumps race and he didn't jump and we did think perhaps his opportunity had gone. But he's got as good a chance this year as last.

"I'd just love to do it for him. He's a really good grade one horse and I don't think he’s wilting at all, despite his age. If you saw him work on the gallops, you'd be amazed."

Brennan is back for another go this year while champion jockey Richard Johnson rides Native River, winner of this season's Hennessy at Newbury, the Welsh Grand National and Denman Chase.

"Native River has everything and is in the form of his life," adds Tizzard.

"He has shown what a good horse he is this season, winning the Hennessy and Welsh National.

"These horses could have gone to anyone, it's just a huge slice of luck that I've got them and because just to have horses in contention for the Gold Cup, the biggest prize in our sport, is what we strive for."

Cheltenham's twists and sub-plots can be as complex as the knotted lines of form on a race card.

This year all conventional wisdom has been challenged, though normally service was resumed on Thursday as Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh belatedly started their winning streak, the latter becoming the first jockey to win four races in a single day at the meeting.

No favourite has delivered in Cheltenham's championship races this year, with Uknowwhatimeanharry beaten in yesterday's Stayers' Hurdle by Nichols Canyon.

Mullins's Djakadam will start top of the market for the Gold Cup as the Irish trainer looks to win the race for the first time after finishing a runner-up on six occasions.

Djakadam chased home Coneygree and Don Cossack in 2015 and 2016 but now Mullins has kickstarted his Festival, expect the money to come in waves.

Gordon Elliott, leading the Festival trainer standings with five wins this week, seeks to follow up Don Cossack's win 12 months ago with Outlander, who impressed when winning the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown late last year.

Jessica Harrington saddles her first runner in the race, Irish Gold Cup winner Sizing John, with Jonjo O'Neill, who won the Gold Cup as a jockey and trainer, taking More Of That and Minella Rocco to post.

Popular Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead is represented by Champagne West while Bristol De Mai, Saphir Du Rheu and two of last year's finishers - Irish Cavalier and Smad Place - also line up.

And, to complete a race card packed with story potential, Tea For Two jockey Lizzie Kelly will be the first woman to ride in the race for 33 years, when Linda Sheedy saddled outsider Foxbury.

"I know people like the story but I just see myself just the same as everyone else," said Kelly, who became the first woman to ride a grade one winner on the same horse at Kempton two years ago.

"I appreciate a lot of girls don't have the support but if you're good enough, you'll get the opportunities.

"I'm very excited about lining up. I’ve looked back at old Gold Cups on You Tube. I have my plan and I think we've got a good chance of a place."

Sportsbeat 2017