Joe Tizzard: “We think West Approach is capable of a big race.” - (2025)

Updated: 13/12/2025

Tizzard stables have a busy Saturday ahead

Saturday – Cheltenham

1.15 – Brynmawr

We are putting Brynmawr in at the deep end a bit here, but there’s only six runners and he jumps well so we took the view that we may as well start him here as in a 15 runner race at a lesser track.  We’re not expecting him to trouble the favourites but we’re hoping for a nice clear round and a good introduction to fences.

1.50 – Royal Vacation

Royal Vacation is a Grade One winner, albeit a slightly lucky one, and he’s won here before, but it just didn’t happen for him last season, and we’ve not quite put our finger on why.

He’s in good nick at home, has been schooling well, so we’re just hoping he can go forward again here. It’s a competitive race but that’s the world he’s in now, so if it doesn’t happen for him here, we should see what he’s capable of this season.

2.25 – West Approach

West Approach is our runner in the feature race, and there’s no doubt there’s definitely one of these big races in him.

We’ve never been quite sure what his ideal trip is, we ran him over three miles last time and he led but didn’t quite get home, so we think this strong run 2 ½ miles will suit him.

Dickie Johnson got on well with him then and rides again, and we do think he’s capable of winning a good race, so hopefully it could be this one.

3.30 – Christmas in April

Christmas In April ran well here last month on his first run for us, he got in a few traffic problems turning in but should improve again, and I do think he’s got a great each way chance here.

Uttoxeter

12.50 – Mount Rushmoore

Mount Rushmoore is a nice big horse who will go chasing soon enough.  He got beaten by one of our own at Exeter last season, and was knocking on the door after that.

He’s the highest rated here, has been going well at home, and I hope he’ll take a bit of beating here.

1.25 – Bramble Book

Bramble Brook was a solid performer last season, managing to win a couple, but the handicapper keeps putting him up, so every time he runs he’s having to produce a career best.

He was down to run at Taunton in the week but we pulled him out because of the quick ground, but hopefully the going here will be fine.

He’ll have to improve again because of the mark he’s on, but he may well be capable of that.

2.00 – Boy Named Sioux

Boy Named Sioux has just joined us from Ruth Jefferson.

He’s a gorgeous looking horse who does everything right at home, but he’s not shown too much on the racecourse so far, so we’re just looking to educate him a bit more, learn more about him, and he’ll get a handicap mark after this.  I think there are races to be won with him.

3.40 – Helford River

Helford River is a lovely young horse, who was bought to be a chaser, and he will go chasing before too long.

We don’t think he’s a bumper horse but he’s ready to go, but he will absolutely be a chaser of the future.

Joe

Original source: http://news.coral.co.uk/blog/joe-tizzard/we-think-west-approach-is-capable-of-a-big-race.html

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