Tizzards have 'complete faith' in King George contender Lostintranslation

Joe Tizzard maintains "complete faith" in Lostintranslation as the chaser bids to bounce back in the King George VI Chase on December 26.

Last season's Gold Cup third, who is available at 8-1 with the sponsors Ladbrokes for Kempton's Christmas showpiece, was last seen finishing 47 lengths behind Bristol De Mai on testing ground in the Betfair Chase, which he won the previous year.

"He's come out of his run at Haydock well," said Tizzard, assistant trainer to his father Colin, about the eight-year-old. "The ground went very heavy and it was a lacklustre run but we've done all the tests and he came back clean.

King George card

"He's big and powerful so we thought he'd handle testing ground but Robbie [Power] has always said he's best on good to soft."

Lostintranslation was pulled up in last season's King George before finishing a length and a half behind dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo at Cheltenham on his next start.

"We treated his wind as he wasn't quite right in the King George," said Tizzard, whose yard won the race in 2015 and 2016 with Cue Card and Thistlecrack. "He did travel into the race in the back straight so we don't have any major concerns about the track.

Colin and Joe Tizzard: two-time winners of the King George VI ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He showed his true colours in the Gold Cup and is a much better horse at home. He worked beautifully on Tuesday and we still have complete faith in him. If we get him right he can be competitive in these top races and we're delighted with him at the moment."

The Tizzard team has made an uncharacteristically patchy start to the season with some of their top performers, including exciting novice chaser The Big Breakaway, being beaten at odds-on.

"There's no hiding it, we've made a slow start," added Tizzard. "A few horses have disappointed and not scoped quite right but the majority are running well again. We're looking forward to having some fun over Christmas and in the second half of the season.

"We know we have good horses but we can't rely on that. It's the nature of the beast that yards can blow hot and cold. We need to trust our system and make the tweaks to ensure we get it right."

The Big Breakaway suffered a shock defeat on his second start over fences at Exeter this month, but will have the chance to make amends at Kempton on December 26 in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices' Chase (1.50), won last year by Slate House.

The Big Breakaway: impressed on chasing debut at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It was disappointing to watch him lose at odds-on but you should always sleep on things and we looked at the times the next day," Tizzard said. "Robbie [Power] had to do the donkey work and there was hardly any pace.

"He was looking around in front but we're learning all the time. The idea was to drop him back in trip to sharpen him up but it backfired. I'm sure three miles is his trip and he'll be suited by a better race.

"He's got stacks of ability and is our top novice chaser. He's very exciting and hopefully he can put that little blip behind him."

King George winner Thistlecrack, who was last seen finishing behind Paisley Park in the 2019 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, is set to line up in the Grade 1 Porsche Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) at Ascot on Saturday.

"He's been a bit fragile but is in one piece at the moment and we'll take it day by day," said Tizzard of the 12-year-old. "We're keen to keep a low profile and let him run his race. We're entering last-chance saloon but he's been brilliant and is ready to go."

King George
Ladbrokes: 2 Clan Des Obeaux, Cyrname, 7 Monalee, 8 Lostintranslation, 14 Kemboy, 16 Allaho, Frodon, Real Steel, Waiting Patiently, 25 Simply The Betts, The Storyteller, Vinndication, 33 Melon, Saint Calvados, 40 Al Dancer, Black Op.

Read more:

Coronavirus restrictions bar London racegoers from Kempton on Boxing Day

'I'll never ride another like Kauto Star – he was the horse of a lifetime'

December delights: the big races that cannot be missed this month

King George hope Lostintranslation has got it all insists Tizzard

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