Slipping saddle and snapped breast plate can't stop 117-1 Joe Tizzard four-timer

Joe Tizzard has made a blistering start to his training career and celebrated a first four-timer at Newton Abbot on Tuesday evening, sealed by a dramatic victory for My Lady Grey despite a snapped breast plate and slipping saddle.

Tizzard took his remarkable record at the Devon track to eight winners from ten runners with the 117-1 four-timer and boasts a 39 per cent strike-rate over jumps since taking over from his father Colin last month.

5-4 favourite Mascat landed the opening 2m1f amateur jockeys’ handicap hurdle under George Hiscock and 10-1 shot Allsfineandandy, the mount of conditional Harry Kimber, sealed a double in the 2m2½f novice handicap hurdle.

The treble was in the bag courtesy of the Brendan Powell-ridden Kauto The King, who returned 4-6 favourite in the feature 2m5f handicap chase, and the same rider was seen to excellent effect to land an eventful 3m2f novice handicap chase on My Lady Grey.

Tizzard's terrific start

13 jumps winners from 33 runners
39 per cent strike-rate
+£17.02 level-stake profit
6 winners from 11 runners this month

Stats prior to Wednesday's racing

Colin Tizzard to hand over licence to son Joe later this year

Tizzard, who is hoping to add to his stock at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale over the next two days, said: “It was a brilliant night – Newton Abbot is serving me well so far this season! The horses have been running extremely well and I thought we had some nice chances, but I didn’t think we’d have a four-timer.

“I was chuffed to bits and we’ve always supported Newton Abbot as it’s pretty local to us. There’s been nice races for our horses there and we’ve had a bit of luck, so it’s worked out well.

“It’s been an unbelievable last couple of months and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. It’s been perfect and I’m over the moon with how things have been going. We’ve got 15 horses in for the summer and most of them have been seen, but hopefully there’s a chance a few might win another one.”

Brendan Powell (left): seen to good effect on My Lady GreyCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

My Lady Grey was likely to finish second in the finale as the field entered the home straight, with Kennack Bay five lengths clear and going best. The leader crashed out at the second last though, handing My Lady Grey the initiative, but there was more drama to come.

A low jump at the last caused Powell’s saddle to slip, along with a snapped breast plate, and she was headed by Belle Jour halfway up the short run-in. My Lady Grey somehow battled back, poking her head in front right near the line for a fourth course success. The saddle just lasted out, with Powell unseated straight after the winning line.

It was a change in fortune for Powell when it comes to a slipping saddle, having been unshipped on the run-in on former stablemate Shoal Bay at Worcester last year.

Tizzard said: “She got a bit lucky with the horse falling two out in front of her and she idled a bit in front. The saddle slipped because she made that mistake at the last and the breast plate had snapped, but thankfully Brendan got past the line before the saddle went right round. Luckily it all held tight for just long enough.

“She loves it around Newton Abbot and hopefully can get her head in front again.”

Storm Home: won the bet365 Summer Cup last year, with Sizing Cusimano bidding to strike in the Uttoxeter feature on SundayCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

The Dorset stable landed the bet365 Summer Cup at Uttoxeter with Storm Home last year and Tizzard is hoping to repeat the feat with Sizing Cusimano, a 27-length winner at Newton Abbot on his reappearance last month. He is an 8-1 shot with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power.

Tizzard, who has two runners at Worcester on Wednesday afternoon, said: “I don’t think it was the strongest race he won on his return and he’s up 10lb, so that makes it difficult. He likes the track though and if he gets a nice position early, he’ll just keep galloping. It’s a competitive race and he deserves to be taking his chance in it.”

How the dramatic final race unfolded

My Lady Grey looked well beaten heading to the second last (Sky Sports Racing)

After Kennack Bay fell when leading, My Lady Grey then blundered at the last, handing the initiative to Belle Jour (Sky Sports Racing)

Brendan Powell refused to give up and managed to get My Lady Grey first past the post (Sky Sports Racing)

Tizzard's Wednesday runners

Vision Des Flos (2.05 Worcester)

Front-runner; two wins last September (2m4f, including off this mark) but ended the autumn on a low note; not at his best on last month's return but may step up on that; has won at this trip but 2m4f might be better.

Coal Stock (4.05 Worcester)

Unbeaten since joining the Tizzards and completed a hat-trick when beating three rivals by a wide margin at Fontwell last month (2m3f); this asks more of him, off 8lb higher, but could well prove up to it; usually leads.

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