'I'm proud' - The Big Breakaway so close to poignant win for the Tizzard family

Joe Tizzard was proud of the performance of The Big Breakaway in an emotional Welsh Grand National, run in memory of his sister Kim Gingell, and is now considering a shot at the big one at Aintree.

The seven-year-old finished a length and a quarter behind The Two Amigos and was in contention for most of the race, along with fourth-placed Truckers Lodge, who was ridden by Gingell's son Freddie.

The Tizzard family won this race with Native River and Elegant Escape when Gingell, daughter of former trainer Colin, was a key part of the training operation. She died of cancer aged 43 in May 2020.

"We'd have liked to have won it but it's lovely," Joe Tizzard said. "I'd been planning this all season and he's run right up to scratch, but we weren't quite good enough on the day. I'm proud."

The Big Breakaway (behind) put in an epic effort behind The Two AmigosCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Big Breakaway was carrying almost two stone more than The Two Amigos and this represented a return to form for the one-time leading novice chaser, who fetched €360,000 in 2019.

This was his first start in a big-field staying handicap and connections could now aim him at the Grand National, for which he is now as short as 20-1.

"That was a huge run and he's been beaten by a consistent horse in these types of races," Tizzard added. "I thought we had a chance coming to the last but he's run his heart out under that sort of weight. He travelled really well and he's done everything right.

"That was the best run of his life, we can't fault him. We'll have a break now and I'll probably try to talk his owners into running him in a National. I'd like to and it looks like these staying races suit him."

Truckers Lodge, ridden by Freddie Gingell for trainer Paul Nicholls, faded out of contention in the home straight and was fourth, beaten just over 28 lengths.

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