Yesterday after all the racing had finished at Exeter Colin Tizzard's two chasing giants Native River and Thistlecrack were set out onto the track to go through a routine gallop session and both horses looked spectacular.
Both horses are set to have there seasonal reappearance at Haydock on November 24th in the renewal of the betfair Chase. Thistlecrack was set to make his return earlier this month in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby but was withdrawn due to the fast ground conditions.
Native River as many will know went on to win last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup and has not been seen since that run at jumps racing HQ but he also like his stablemate needs soft ground to be able to start his season.
The betfair Chase is just over a week away and it is set to be the biggest jumps contest of the season so far with many of the big guns starting there season campaigns off at Haydock.
Thistlecrack has not been seen for some time now due to injury and some really bad luck for the connections of this horse that went on to take the King George in 2016.
Tizzard has said that both his stars are in great condition and is really looking forward to the season ahead with both his stable stars having high chances of taking the big Grade 1 races of the year.
This came after a great day for the trainer who picked up a four timer before setting the two horses round the course.
He had his winners with Russian Hawk (4-1) who won the 188Bet Mobile Bet10 Get10 Novices’ Hurdle, Norse Legend with 10 pound claimer Harry Kimber on board justifying 9-4 favouritism in the ROA/Racing Post Owners’ Jackpot Handicap Hurdle, The Russian Doyen (5-4 favourite) landed the RGB Building Supplies Beginners’ Chase and Whatcombe Heights (9-2) won the Racing UK Handicap Hurdle who gave Robbie Power his third winner of the day for the Tizzard camp.
(Credit Jumpsracing.co.uk, Racing UK and Racing Post TV)