Native River ready to return in Saturday’s Denman Chase at Newbury racecourse reports trainer Colin Tizzard
COLIN TIZZARD's Native River makes his return to action in Saturday's Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.
Tizzard is hoping for a good run from his classy staying chaser ahead of another crack at the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Native River has not been seen since finishing third in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last year.
"I'm really looking forward to it. Everything has gone to plan," said Tizzard.
"This was the only race he could go in if he didn't run in the King George or the Cotswold, so we planned it out from August to start here and we're nearly there.
"Our job is to go there, run a good race and get ready for the Gold Cup. He's schooled well and he's galloped well."
Saphir Du Rheu runs for Paul Nicholls and has not been seen since tipping up at the 11th fence in the Grand National last April.
Owner Andy Stewart expects his runner to improve plenty from the run.
"Saphir will need the run, Paul has made no secret of that and Native River will probably win," said Stewart.
"Our season will not be defined by what happens here though and with the Gold Cup wide open, we don't have much to find from last year. Hopefully he puts himself in the picture."
🏇How to claim your FREE £30 horse racing bet🏇
1
2 Bet £10 or more on horse racing
3 Sun Bets will stick a £30 bet in your account
Ruth Jefferson feels it is worth giving Cloudy Dream a second chance to see if he stays three miles.
Jefferson said: "He's fit and well and we've always felt he could get three miles. He's definitely not a two-miler any more and whether two and a half is best trip now, we're not sure.
"This race should tell us a lot about where we're going. He's in the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and he's up against two horses who ran well in the Gold Cup last year.
"Those two haven't run for a while, but in a way we want them to run up to their best as we want to learn whether our horse is a Gold Cup horse or not. I hope they go a good gallop and what will be will be."
