Joe Tizzard: “I think both horses are too big a price in the King George.” - (2026)

Updated: 25/02/2026

The latest insight from the Tizzard stables

King George VI – Thistlecrack and Native River

Both horses are in lovely form. Tom Scudamore came down and schooled Thistlecrack on Wednesday and he jumped really nicely.

It looks like the ground at Kempton is going to be genuinely good to soft which should play to his strengths.

He came out of Haydock really well and I’m sure he’s improved for it. I can’t wait to run them both to be honest. I think they are both too big a price.

Battle of Ideas – Taunton 30^th December

Battle of Ideas is back in great form and there’s a 0-120 Handicap Chase for him at Taunton on Sunday, 30^th December over 2m7f.

The decent ground around there might just help him. It should be perfect for him.

Saturday – Ascot

2.25 – West Approach

We’ve never been shy of throwing West Approach in at the deep end. It was a solid run in the Ladbrokes Trophy but this is a step back up in class really.

He ran well in this race a couple of years ago but he’s a big price which reflects how competitive it is this year. He will have to put his best foot forward to really shine in this.

3.35 – Cyrus Darius

He has come on for his first run for us at Haydock last time. He travelled really well that day for a long way and then just got tired. It’s as simple as that.

So hopefully he’s improved a bit for it and he’s capable of running a big race in this. It’s a super-hot race but Cyrus Darius is a fair horse on his day.

He possibly travelled too well at Haydock, so perhaps he won’t be quite as fresh tomorrow and he will see the trip out better. He should run well.

Joe

Original source: http://news.coral.co.uk/blog/joe-tizzard/I-think-both-horses-are-too-big-a-price-in-the-king-george.html

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