Whilst Thistlecrack’s galling defeat to the ill-fated Many Clouds in the Costwold Chase on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day will still linger in the memory of Colin Tizzard and his team, another Gold Cup hope springs eternal at Newbury this weekend as the Welsh Grand National winner Native River represents the team in the Grade Two Betfair Denman Chase, as he seeks to enhance his credentials for National Hunt’s Blue-Riband event.
In what has been a superb season for the unexposed chaser thus far, Native River was tasting success at Chepstow following a game display at Newbury in the Hennessy Gold Cup in November, in which he registered a half-length success.
Only a seven-year-old, the Denman Chase looks the ideal stepping stone before a tilt at the Gold Cup with regular pilot Richard Johnson back on board the son of Indian River.
Tizzard told the Racing Post: “Native River has got to keep improving to win a Gold Cup, no question about it, but he’s a thorough stayer and the Gold Cup is often won by that type of horse. He’s got as good a chance as any.
“Newbury was always going to be his target as he needs a race before Cheltenham and, while the two-mile-seven trip might be on the sharp side, I’m sure Richard Johnson will keep plenty of pace on.”
A best-priced 11/10 shot for the three-mile contest at Newbury, Native River faces stiff opposition from four rivals which includes Bristol De Mai, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and who is also being targeted for the Gold Cup at Prestbury Park in March.
The imposing six-year-old grey was a facile 22-length winner of the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park in January, jumping well and handling underfoot conditions with ease. He will be a significant opponent for Tizzard’s Chase and is available at around 11/8,
Other prospective runners include the 2014 Stayers’ Hurdle winner More Of That who has proved frustrating since finishing third in the RSA Chase last year’s Cheltenham Festival but did seem to run better when sixth, beaten 11 and a half-lengths in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last time.
Le Mercurey, trained by Paul Nicholls, and Tom George’s O Maonlai complete the five-runner field.
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