Top-class novices and new riders: team excited as jumps season approaches

The Tizzard yard is ready to adopt a 'mix and match' approach to jockeys with Harry Cobden, the yard's most prolific pilot last season, now Paul Nicholls' top rider.

Cobden rode 40 winners for Tizzard last season, steering 33-1 shot Kilbricken Storm to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Joe Tizzard, who rode 248 winners for his father before becoming his assistant, said: "The stable hasn't had a regular jockey since I retired [2014]. We quite like using a lot of different jockeys, Tom Scudamore rides for us a lot and Dickie [Richard Johnson] is still with Native River.

Tom Scudamore: enjoyed success for Colin Tizzard aboard ThistlecrackCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Harry [Cobden] told us he'd make himself very available. He's a great young jockey and he'll always be an option, while Daryl [Jacob] has been riding for us over the summer.

"It's nice having four or five of the top boys riding for you, because you're always looking for a jockey – it's good to mix and match and when you've got good horses then good jockeys want to ride them."

Former Grade 2 winner Cyrus Darius joins Venn Farm

Cyrus Darius, a convincing handicap winner in February before finishing midfield in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last time, has joined the yard from Ruth Jefferson.

Tizzard said about the nine-year-old: "Paul Warren was already an owner in the yard so it's existing owners we know already.

"We're excited by him, he's a big strong horse and he ticks a lot of our boxes. We've seen him enough times, so we're excited to get our hands on him."

'Top-class' novice chasers look set to take star billing

The Tizzards are expecting great things from the yard's powerful squad of novice chasers. Kilbricken Storm is set to be campaigned over fences, along with dual Grade 1 runner-up Vision Des Flos and Slate House, winner of the Supreme Novices' Trial at Cheltenham in November.

Lostintranslation: set to go novice chasing this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Joe Tizzard said: “We've got a big team this year and a really great bunch of novice chasers. Slate House, White Moon, Vision Des Flos, Lostintranslation and Kilbricken Storm are five top-class novices to look forward to.

"They'd certainly be our most exciting bunch this season. They were bought to be chasers and hopefully they'll improve a lot this season."

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