Chepstow beckons for Tizzard's Spider
Colin Tizzard has set his sights on winning another National after taking the Tote-sponsored Sussex version at Plumpton with Jeremy Spider.
It was the highlight of a day in his training career which he will not forget as he sent out his first treble at odds of 1,286-1.
The West Country handler, father of jockey Joe, struck with Easibrook Jane, Garolsa and Jeremy Spider.
Relentless rain throughout the day saw conditions rapidly turn from swamp-like to bottomless and Easibrook Jane (12-1) relished the mud as she galloped home under Andrew Thornton in division one of the ‘Anthony Has Finally Found A Winner’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Punters who followed the in-form trainer were rewarded again in the Abergavenny Challenge Cup (Novices’ Chase) when Garolsa, backed down from 12-1 to 8-1, led close home under Tizzard to beat El Hombre Del Rio.
But the celebrations for the stable really began when 10-1 chance Jeremy Spider made every yard to win the Tote Bookmakers Sussex National under Seamus Durack.
The gelding made a major error at the second-last fence when clear and looked in danger of forfeiting the £30,000 contest away but he was much more fluent at the last fence, where his nearest pursuer Cool Investment – two lengths in arrears at the time – did come down.
And despite being out on his feet at the end of the gruelling three-mile five-furlong test, Durack’s mount finished clear of Fasgo and Coole Spirit.
Favourite Jurancon II, whose jumping let him down, was the only other horse to get home.
“I really fancied Jeremy Spider today,” said the successful trainer. “The wetter it gets, the more he loves it and as the rain kept falling I got more and more hopeful.
“I will look at the Welsh National for him now. I know that he will probably be out of the handicap but he should get his conditions and I am sure that he will run his race.
“This is definitely my first treble. I had a double in point-to-points a while ago, but I have never managed it under Rules, so this has been a very special day.”
Useful Flat stayer Big Moment made an impressive debut over obstacles in the Southern FM Novices’ Hurdle.
The Amanda Perrett-trained gelding travelled sweetly throughout under Leighton Aspell and accelerated clear when favourite Garde Champetre tried to throw down a challenge on the home turn.
The 9-4 chance had nine lengths to spare over his rival at the line and looks a high-class recruit to the jumping game, judged on this performance.
“He has jumped well at home but that was very good to see him do it so well on the track,” said the trainer’s husband, Mark.
“As he wants two miles on the Flat, he is really going to need at least two and a half over hurdles and he could just make up into a Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle contender.
“He won’t be asked too many questions too soon and it would be nice to find a similar sort of race for him next.”
