Trainer Tizzard proven right by Folie prediction

COLIN Tizzard’s prediction in the Gazette a fortnight ago that Folie A Deux was still improving and could be better than a summer jumper looked spot on at Uttoxeter last week.

Tizzard (Milborne Port near Sherborne) made his forecast after his eight-year-old front-runner won comfortably at the Staffordshire track earlier in the month.

And Folie A Deux was even more impressive when reappearing over course and distance in the two-mile handicap chase on Thursday.

The official winning distance was nine lengths but Colin Tizzard’s jockey son Joe could have doubled the margin after the eight-year-old made all the running to win unchallenged.

The downside, however, is that the horse has been given a 13lb hike in the ratings by the handicapper to a mark of 114, easily the highest of his career.

Colin Tizzard said: “It was not a great race but they have all got to be won and he did it with his head in his chest. When you have a good-looking horse like this on the up who knows where he is going to stop.

“At the moment I honestly do not know where to go next with him.

“We could run him under a 7lb penalty at Stratford in Warwickshire this Thursday (today) but we might ease up with him for a while and aim for some of the better early-season races at Chepstow, Cheltenham or Kempton Park.”

The Anshan gelding is developing a penchant for Uttoxeter with two victories and a close second at the track over the past three months.

Folie A Deux started favourite – as did the yard’s Merry Terry at Worcester the previous day for the handicap chase over two miles and seven furlongs.

But this time the Tizzards were not so lucky as Merry Terry was brought down at the ninth.

“He was just lobbing along but he got up quickly and came home without a mark on him. He is fine,” reported the trainer.

Like Folie A Deux, Merry Terry is also entered for Stratford this afternoon.

Team Tizzard quickly returned to the winner’s enclosure for Monday’s evening meeting at Uttoxeter through Intac who made virtually all the running to capture the beginners’ chase over two miles and four furlongs.

Joe Tizzard showed as much determination in the saddle as his gutsy partner to fend off Tritonville Lodge by a half a length.

The improving eight-year- old was not scoring out of turn over fences having been a close second to Classic Swain in a two-mile chase at Newton Abbot, Devon, last week.

This was the stable’s seventh winner of the current National Hunt season.