Denman Chase possible next step for King George disappointment Lostintranslation

Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup ambitions are far from over for Lostintranslation following his below-par display at Kempton on Boxing Day, with the Denman Chase at Newbury touted as a possible next step.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Lostintranslation ran a disappointing race before being pulled up by Robbie Power in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and is now as big as 9-1 to land the Gold Cup.

But, confirming connections' original diagnosis that the eight-year-old struggled with his breathing at Kempton, assistant trainer Joe Tizzard reported that Cheltenham is still very much the plan following a minor procedure to fix Lostintranslation's wind.

"He had his soft palate cauterised on Monday and has just been on the walker since," said Tizzard. "We've been right through him with the vet and nothing else obvious has come out. That's just horses and perhaps it was a combination of his wind and the softer ground. It's our job now to get him right for Cheltenham and I’m sure he'll bounce back."

Lostintranslation had confirmed the enormous promise of his novice chasing campaign with a comeback win at Carlisle and then a first Grade 1 success in open company when lowering the colours of Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Tizzard and his father are keen to get a confidence-boosting run into last season's JLT runner-up before heading back to Cheltenham.

Tizzard said: "There's nothing definitive, but we're talking about going to Newbury for the Denman Chase with him because he operates around the track and it would be nice to get a spin into him rather than going to the Gold Cup off the back of being pulled up. Timing-wise, I would imagine the most likely race would be the Denman."

Thistlecrack (nearest camera) was denied a chance of reversing his 2018 King George defeat at the hands of Clan Des Obeaux when an abscess ruled him out of last week's raceCredit: Grossick Photography

The yard's other intended King George runner had been Thistlecrack, but a minor foot problem led to his withdrawal on the morning of the race.

"Thistlecrack was unfortunate to have the abscess which put him out of the King George and which has set us back," said Tizzard. "It took a day or two to come right and we just have to get him 100 per cent working well and then we’ll make a plan later in the month."

Three to bounce back from Kempton woe

Lostintranslation would be far from the first horse to run disappointingly in the King George only to recapture their form at the festival.

Don Cossack

There were those who felt that Don Cossack had been running in snatches long before he exited two out, unable to keep proper tabs on Cue Card around speed-favouring Kempton. It was a fall which left many unanswered questions as he appeared to be staying on again under Bryan Cooper, his most ardent supporters convinced that he would have given Cue Card plenty to think about.

Come the day of the 2016 Gold Cup and it was Cue Card that made the uncharacteristic error at the crucial moment, while Gordon Elliott had Don Cossack purring on all eight cylinders.

Imperial Commander

Another obvious parallel with Lostintranslation in that Nigel Twiston-Davies' 2010 Gold Cup hero had also run a huge race to be beaten a nose by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase, only to be thumped by the same rival to the tune of 64 lengths at Kempton.

Imperial Commander with Paddy Brennan celebrating after their 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Imperial Commander went to Cheltenham without another run and defeated Denman by seven lengths. The previous season he had also disappointed at Christmas only to win the Ryanair on his next start.

Looks Like Trouble

The 1999 RSA winner hardly went a yard on the soft ground when sent off a 7-2 shot for that year's King George, and was pulled up by Norman Williamson after just 12 fences.

Trainer Noel Chance wasted little time in getting the wheels back on, sending his stable star out to win the Cotswold Chase on Festival Trials day at Cheltenham, where he put 30 lengths on Go Ballistic.

Better still was to follow in March as Richard Johnson stepped in for the ride and steered Looks Like Trouble to a memorable success at the expense of Florida Pearl.

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