Colin Tizzard – Profile

Apart from the really big National Hunt yards many of the smaller or dare we say it second division yards in terms of strength at least tend to have just the one outstanding horse that rather overshadows the rest of the stable.

That is very much the case with the Tizzard stable and Cue Card, who despite not quite capping off his season in the manner that he was expected to with a win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham still looks an exciting prospect over fences judging by his recent debut at Chepstow. But beyond Cue Card there is much more depth to the Tizzard stable strength and some other familiar names head a cast of bright young talent that is set to be sent out from the Dorset yard this winter. Those who bet on racing should remember this.

Hell's Bay and Hey Big Spender along with Cue Card are the more established talents, but we can also highlight some of the darker horses like Xaarcet and Handy Andy. Hell's Bay had to miss the Cheltenham Festival last season when he was favourite for the Jewson, but he's back in training now and he looks sure to return to the track before Christmas. This strong travelling chaser looks sure to pick up more victories in the right grade and his defeat of Medermit last season was a top-class piece of form. Hey Big Spender looks sure to be a flag bearer for the yard in big handicaps and whilst Tizzard has a doubt about him getting extreme distances he is likely to be entered in the Racing Post Chase and the Welsh National – he could still be improving and not yet at his peak, certainly an interesting horse to watch. People betting on racing should bear this in mind.

Of the darker talents, the darkest in the Tizzard yard is possibly Xaarcet, and although this four-year old Xaar gelding is unraced, he is rated highly in the yard and granted some give in the ground he is one to look out for. Handy Andy is better known but still has some untapped potential after travelling very well in the Sefton at Aintree he was eventually pulled up after suffering an injury. Now right again he looks a lovely prospect for chases this year at around 2M 4F.While Cue Card will get most of the focus inevitably from this yard, don't underestimate the rest of the 60 strong yard which has more depth and promise than most observers think.