Wetherby plans for The Big Breakaway
Towton on the radar for Kauto Star runner-up.
The Big Breakaway will continue his preparations for a return to the Cheltenham Festival in the William Hill Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby. Connections of the Colin Tizzard-trained six-year-old, who finished fourth in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, have earmarked the three-mile Grade Two contest on February 6 as his next target. After making a winning debut over fences at Cheltenham, The Big Breakaway suffered an odds-on defeat at Exeter, before filling the runner-up spot in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: “The plan at the moment is to take The Big Breakaway to Wetherby next month for the Towton. “He has only had three runs over fences and this is a Grade Two which is quite good timing-wise before the Festival. “We can’t drop him back and do what we did at Exeter as we have got to take him to a decent enough race where he will get a tow along.” Dual Grade One winner Reserve Tank, who has not been sighted since pulling up in the Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March, could revert back to hurdles on his return from injury. Tizzard said: “He got a leg injury after Cheltenham and we are hoping to get a prep run in before going back to the Festival. “He has been in the whole way through, but he is now in full training. With an injury like he had it just needed time. “He might run in a Pertemps qualifier at Huntingdon in the middle of February, but we will just see where we are with him.” While a second outing at the Festival remains on the agenda for Reserve Tank, he could sidestep the meeting if he is not ready in time. Tizzard added: “We are hopeful of having a nice spring campaign. We have just got to do what is right for the horse as he has had this injury. “If he doesn’t make Cheltenham we could wait to Aintree, as we know he has good form there.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Gregarina makes her mark in Athasi debut
Joseph O’Brien’s French import could be seen at Royal Ascot.
-
Stripes earns his Irish Guineas ticket
Tetrarch Stakes winner will be back at the Curragh later this month.
-
City Of Troy staying on Derby path, says O’Brien
‘That’s the pattern he was going and that’s the way he’ll go’.
-
Whistlejacket upholds family honour to secure Royal Ascot ticket
Little Big Bear’s brother impresses at the Curragh.
-
French Derby target for Guineas fourth Ghostwriter
Clive Cox-trained colt promises to improve again at 10 furlongs.
-
French trip planned to put Chorister on song for Gold Cup
David Menuisier wants one more outing for his charge before Royal Ascot.
-
Hannon keen to head to the Curragh with Guineas duo
Newmarket-placed Rosallion and Haatem on course for Irish equivalent next.
-
O’Brien so close to joining elite list as Porta Fortuna just denied
The 25-year-old won British Classics as a jockey and came within a whisker of first as a trainer.