Lostintranslation is still on course to head to Kempton on Boxing Day for the King George VI Chase after his poor seasonal debut in the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock, where he could only finish a weak third in his title defence.
The eight year old last season started his term off at Carlisle when landing the Intermediate Chase in fine style which set him up perfectly for a tilt at the Betfair Chase against two time winner Bristol De Mai.
Having the run under his belt made the difference as he went on to stay on better than the Nigel Twiston-Davies horse up the straight and it saw him land his first black type event out of novice company.
This season, without the run before the race and the heavy conditions it saw Bristol De Mai reverse the form and overall Tizzard's horse gave a very below par performance.
In 2019 Lostintranslation headed to Kempton on Boxing Day for the King George VI Chase and nothing went right for him throughout the race with his jumping ultimately letting him down and he was pulled up before the finish.
Although not having the greatest prep into the race this term he is still all systems go for the Boxing Day Grade One, with him needing to reverse the form with second on Saturday Clan Des Obeaux, who is going for his third straight win in the King George.
A year ago today...
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) April 5, 2020
This years Gold Cup third LOSTINTRANSLATION breezed to Mildmay Novices Chase glory at Aintree 🐎💨
Currently a 16/1 shot for next years Gold Cup, fancy him?! 🤔
🎬 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/vMHMlagsCh
(Credit ATR) Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: “He trotted up fine yesterday morning and has just been on the walker again today – there are no signs of any problems.
“Robbie has maintained for a few years now that he wants good ground. Dad and I thought he’d get away with softer ground a bit because he’s a big, strong horse, but it went completely heavy at Haydock on Saturday and he never travelled like he can.
“We shall make sure there is nothing else, but at the moment we’re just putting it down to the ground.”
Although the King George is the main plan, Saturday showed that he does not handle very wet conditions and if the ground turns up similar to that of Haydock at the weekend, the team will then look elsewhere.
He added: “The King George is the plan. If it turned up heavy at Kempton we might have to rethink that a little bit, but that is certainly the plan at the moment.
“If the ground was very soft then we’d wait for better ground and the Denman Chase at Newbury (in February) or something.
“At the moment the King George will be his next race and we’ll work it out between now and then.”