Cheltenham squad may be smaller but don't write us off, says Joe Tizzard

A combination of coronavirus complications and a difficult season mean the Colin Tizzard yard is set to have a smaller team than normal for the Cheltenham Festival, but the trainer's son and assistant Joe warned the horses they do run should be taken seriously.

The Dorset outfit has enjoyed seven winners at the festival and their chief hopes this month rest with WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders Native River and Lostintranslation.

Owners are not allowed to attend the meeting because of restrictions caused by the pandemic, while the stable's string has been under the weather for much of the winter.

Colin Tizzard's seven Cheltenham Festival winners

2010 Cue Card Weatherbys Champion Bumper
2011 Oiseau De Nuit Johnny Henderson Grand Annual
2013 Golden Chieftain Ultima Handicap Chase
2013 Cue Card Ryanair Chase
2016 Thistlecrack Paddy Power Stayers’' Hurdle
2018 Kilbricken Storm Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
2018 Native River Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup

Joe Tizzard, who anticipates the yard having around ten runners at the fixture, said: "It'll be smaller than other years. Some of that is to do with the novice hurdlers, who haven't got there, and in other years we'd have owners planning a day out, so we're only running horses we feel go there with a proper chance.

"The younger horses have been more affected with the bug that went through the yard and we've had to give them more time, so they're not in position to be ready."

Owners are due back on track from March 29 and Tizzard added: "A lot of our owners go to Cheltenham and we always have a picnic at the back of our cars every day when there can be 30 to 40 owners stood around having a drink. If the horse has earned a chance of running – whether they're a big price or not – the owners quite like to be there, but that's not the case this year.

"The ones who are running deserve to be there and we think they've got chances, regardless of what price they are – Cue Card and Oiseau De Nuit were 40-1 and Golden Chieftain was 28-1. We think the horses we're taking have a chance of running big races, certainly with each-way chances."

Joe Tizzard gives a pat to Lostintranslation on Monday morningCredit: Dan Mullan (Getty Images)

The Tizzard team, which was rocked by the death last spring of the trainer's daughter Kim Gingell, is beginning to find some form and the former jockey added: "I think most of ours are running well now.

"There are still one or two who are disappointing, but you get that any time and I think the majority have turned the corner. Dad's up the gallop every morning without fail and he's as keen as ever. It's not been an easy 12 months for him, but he's in good form again."

Read more:

'A slow transition for him taking over' – Tizzard plans dual licence with son Joe

Rose Of Arcadia ends drought for Colin Tizzard with first winner of the year

Members' Club: Colin Tizzard blames poor form on a bug but sees end in sight with Native River

Return of owners to racecourses scheduled for March 29 as BHA sets out roadmap

Reopening dates for courses and shops set out as BHA seeks return of owners

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