'We expected him to do it' - Tizzard excited as Scarface impresses on return

Monday: Plumpton

Joe Tizzard has his team in fine fettle as three of his four runners on Monday returned to the winner's enclosure.

Scarface, who was last seen finishing seventh to Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival, began Tizzard's roll in comfortable fashion in winning the 2m4½f novice hurdle by 16 lengths under Brendan Powell.

Tizzard said: "He had to do it today. He went off at 1-4 and he’s 128-rated, so we expected him to do it like he did. What I like about him is the better the race, the better he is, because he goes along in second gear.

"It’s a blessing in disguise that he’s staying in novice races this year and we can have a bit of fun with him."

Tizzard and Powell teamed up again when Atakan made a winning start to his chase career in the 3m1½f handicap.

"He’s a bigger and stronger horse this year," the trainer said, "and he’s always jumped particularly well at home over fences, so it’s what we wanted to see."

After Princess Midnight also won at Hereford, Tizzard added: "I’m chuffed to bits and we’ve a few big names entered this weekend, so it’s the perfect start to the week."

Double joy

Harry Cobden also completed a double, headlined by Lord Baddesley winning the feature 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

The seven-year-old, who finished second to Knappers Hill in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow earlier this month, recorded his first victory since March 2021.

The first leg of Cobden’s double came when Mullenbeg was a comfortable ten-length winner of the 2m maiden hurdle, getting off the mark over obstacles at the third attempt.

Results, replays and analysis

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