Joe Tizzard hopes to carry on his family’s legacy in the BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Exeter on Friday. The Tizzard family has a strong history with the race, with Joe winning three times as a jockey and his father, Colin, twice as a trainer, most memorably with fan-favourite Cue Card in 2012. Joe, who took over the training licence in 2022, claimed the trophy himself last year with Elixir De Nutz, ridden by his nephew, Freddie Gingell.
This year, the Tizzard stable fields two runners in the six-strong field: Jpr One and Scarface. Jpr One, who impressed last season with two wins and an unlucky unseat in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial, will be ridden by Brendan Powell and carries top weight. "This has been our target since day one this season," Tizzard said. "He's fit, loves decent ground, and is good fresh, so we’re excited."
Scarface, coming off a fifth-place finish at Cheltenham, also lines up for the stable. Tizzard noted, "He’d need a lifetime best to win, but he’s fit and consistent and could grab a place."
Joining the Tizzard duo are Venetia Williams’ Djelo, Dan Skelton’s pair Etalon and Heltenham, and Paul Nicholls’ Sans Bruit, who will be ridden by Bryony Frost.