Colin Tizzard’s team believe Fox Norton is ‘the one to beat’ in Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, following the mid-week withdrawal of Douvan.
The seven-year-old hasn’t tasted defeat since his narrow defeat in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, winning Grade One prizes at Aintree and Punchestown both in comfortable fashion.
On his return he dominated a quality field to romp to an eight length win in the Shloer Chase, and the team were relishing the prospect of taking on seven-time Grade One hero Douvan.
“The race has cut up a bit but I am looking forward to it,” said Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin.
“I would say he is the one they all have to beat. He’s in lovely form and we are looking forward to running him.
“He was super at Cheltenham, and that run definitely sets the standard so he has to be the leading player.
“The absence of Douvan certainly makes our life easier, but Fox Norton was already in really good form and we wanted to take him on either way.”
Douvan’s next target is unknown, but he is currently priced at 12-1 for the King George on Boxing Day where he could meet the likes of Thistlecrack and Might Bite.
Fox Norton’s biggest rival today is Paul Nicholls’ Politologue who impressed when winning at Exeter last month.
Unlucky when falling, when leading, at Aintree in April he cleared a good field in the Haldon Gold Cup and is well fancied to give his trainer a tenth winner.
“We would like to think Politologue has a good chance,” said the Ditcheat-based trainer.
“He has to improve on what he has achieved so far, but he does have potential. He’s an improving young horse and hopefully he can give a good account of himself.”
Nicholls also runs San Benedeto, whilst Sir Valentino, Ar Mad, Charbel and Ordinary World also feature.
TIP: Fox Norton is a very smart prospect and certainly sets the standard here. He’ll like Sandown and should run another big race. I think he will win this quite convincingly and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win by a bit of a margin.
