Coup Royale

Joe Tizzard was clearly anxious not to get there too soon on Coup Royale in the penultimate race at Kempton on Saturday after another of his father’s horses, Mount Oscar, had just been outstayed by Quinz in the big one, the Racing Post Chase earlier on the card, having looked between the last two to be coming there with a winning run. Tizzard got the fractions spot on on this one though, and while that may have exacerbated the apparent ease of this victory, it is likely there is much more left in the tank.

Held up out the back, he wasn’t that fluent over the first three fences, but he warmed to his task well. They did play into his hands by going fast up front; Coup Royale was still only eighth going over the last fence before the home turn, but Soixante, who dictated, did stick on to finish second so perhaps they didn’t go too fast, despite how it appeared and despite the rain-softened ground.

Coup Royale was well backed, came there easily, in fact he barely came off the bridle at any point to come clear of Soixante and Forget It to win well with his ears pricked and with probably much more left to give. This is his trip, he disappointed on his previous run over slightly shorter but saw this trip out really well here, and he is almost certainly not finished winning yet despite a 12lb hike. He wears a cross noseband and has been keen in the past so is always likely to be best served by coming off a strong pace. He was a little hesitant at a couple of his fences down the far side of the track but this was only his third chase, he is only seven, and there is the prospect of more to come as his jumping improves. He has form on good ground as well, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next as long as there is the prospect of a decent pace.

26th February 2011