• Trainer says a light campaign can deliver a 2019 victory
• Irish Turf Club stung by call for Festival ‘level playing field’A day after his gallant performance in winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup,Native River made what is likely to be his final public appearance for some time, mixing with an adoring south Somerset crowd in Henstridge, and a village a few miles from his stable. Well over 100 people showed up despite freezing temperatures and falling snow to cheer the chestnut as he was paraded,along with the trophy he won, outside the Virginia Ash pub where celebrations had continued into the small hours.
Colin Tizzard, and Native River’s trainer,was delighted by how well his horse had taken Friday’s race, just his moment outing of this season. But Tizzard is not tempted to rush him back to the track for one of the cessation-of-term prizes at Aintree or Punchestown and will instead contemplate another light campaign aimed at next year’s Gold Cup.
Continue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk