Two Nationals come to mind after hurdle and chase wins for Tizzard

Talk turned to Grand Nationals among the embarrassment of riches in the Colin Tizzard stable, first with a hurdle winner and then a six-year-old chaser who is fast getting his act together.

There has been a fad of protecting the chase ratings of Grand National hopes by running them over hurdles earlier in the season, and Tizzard and owner-breeder Malcolm Hooker have taken a leaf out of that book with Buckhorn Timothy, who completed back-to-back hurdle wins here and is ready to take on the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27.

"We've protected his chase mark," admitted Tizzard. "He's 137 over fences and that looks like getting him in the Welsh National off around 10st. He goes well at the course."