Native River was always up with the pace and bravely fought off a series of challenges before moving into a clear lead jumping the last. “When the other one nearly got to him, he went again, and that’s the sign of an honest, strong stayer,” Tizzard said. “He’s in the Welsh National and he’s a certain stayer, but he might just be a bit better than that. Any other novice, you wouldn’t worry about it, but because everybody’s watching him, you just need to get the experience into him. Victory there would leave Cue Card needing a Gold Cup win to secure a £1m bonus for landing the Chase Triple Crown, a point that is also unlikely to be lost on his trainer.

Source: The Guardian November 26, 2016 18:34 UTC