Tea For Two primed for Cross Country bid before tackling the Grand National

Lizzie Kelly believes dual Grade 1 hero Tea For Two will have "every chance" of landing the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before an ambitious tilt at the Grand National, in which he would be a first ride for the star jockey.

The ten-year-old, who gave Kelly her first top-level success in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase in 2015, has not won since a memorable neck win over Cue Card in the Betway Bowl at Aintree almost two years ago and after three defeats this year, he has slipped down to an official mark of 149.

Tea For Two, who unseated and finished seventh in the last two Gold Cups, is a general 12-1 chance for the Cross Country despite having yet to contest that type of race.

Kelly, who has ridden Tea For Two in all nine of his career wins, said: "We're thinking about the Cross Country. We'll need to see how he schools but that's where we should head with him. He's a Grade 1 horse stepping down to a handicap so he should have every chance in that level.

"He's always been a big, athletic horse and so jumping up and down the banks should suit him."

Tea For Two will look to emulate Tiger Roll, who landed the ace before subsequently scoring in the Grand National last season – bookmakers have him as big as 66-1 for the National.

"Tea For Two's main target is the Grand National and if he gets there in one piece it'll be fantastic," Kelly said. "The Cross Country is a race that's similar in distance and the timing [in the calendar] works well, so it's a logical place to go. He's a brave horse so one would think he would't be fazed."

She added: "It would be massive for me to ride in the Grand National and there's no horse I'd want to be on more than him. I know him inside out – he jumps well and I'm looking forward to it. Who doesn't want to ride in the National!

Lizzie Kelly: set for her first ride in the Grand National on Tea For TwoCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We think he'd have a good chance – we'll take it steady and see how the race goes. Anyone who goes into a National thinking they'll win it would be mad. Realistically, I imagine we'll try to get into a rhythm and just enjoy ourselves.

"If I'm still standing two out then it would be great, he's an old horse who has done a lot for me in my career. If we finish it in one piece, I'll be happy – and even to be placed would be an amazing scenario. It's exciting for sure!"

Three stars who thrived on the cross-country course

Tiger Roll

Gigginstown's diminutive son of Derby winner Authorized was a star in his own right before victory in the 2018 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the festival.

Lisa O'Neill is led into the winner's enclosure by Tiger Roll's connectionsCredit: ST Parade7/7/16

A three-and-a-quarter-length win in the 2014 Triumph Hurdle was the first of three phenomenal victories at Cheltenham, while an easy success in the 2016 Munster National was followed by an authoritative success in the National Hunt Chase the following March.

A first foray into the discipline of cross country racing saw Tiger Roll finish a well-beaten fifth behind stablemate Bless The Wings the following December, but he reversed the form three months later for a hugely-popular success ahead of French raider Urgent De Gregaine. There is also the small matter of his victory in the Grand National a month later.

Cause Of Causes

Another horse trained by Gordon Elliott, Cause Of Causes produced one of the easiest victories of the 2016 festival, landing the Kim Muir by a scintillating 12 lengths. The National Hunt Chase had also fallen the way of JP McManus' gelding, while he was a Listed winner over hurdles, too.

The now 11-year-old was also beaten on his first start over the cross-country obstacles but again dramatically reversed form when landing the cross-country contest at the festival.

Cause Of Causes' last run on a racecourse came at Cheltenham in 2018, when he pulled up behind Tiger Roll.

Balthazar King

The Brushmaker's hugely popular gelding endeared himself to the racing public with his numerous successful adventures on the cross-country course at Cheltenham.

The now 15-year-old took to Cheltenham like a duck to water, winning eight of his 18 races at the track, four of which came over the cross-country course.

Ridden by regular partner Richard Johnson, the red and blue colours soon became a feature at Prestbury Park and he even sandwiched a second in the 2014 Grand National between his Cheltenham triumphs.

Balthazar King's final hurrah, which came after he survived an injury in the 2015 Grand National, resulted in a fall in the 2016 Glenfarclas Chase. He did, however, bow out as a true giant of the cross-country chasing sphere.

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