3 minute read
Joe Tizzard is hoping for success in the Randox Grand National with The Big Breakaway off a "lovely racing weight" of 10st 10lb.
The Big Breakaway has shown good form this season, finishing second in a competitive Haydock handicap before another narrow defeat in the Welsh Grand National. Both runs came off top weight of 11st 13lb and Tizzard is relishing the chance for his eight-year-old to carry a more manageable load in the National on April 15.
The Big Breakaway will have his final preparation at next month's Cheltenham Festival, where he could face another of Britain's big hopes Corach Rambler. Tizzard is relying solely on The Big Breakaway after Fiddlerontheroof, a Grade 1-winning hurdler in 2020, was scratched from the race due to a small injury. Fiddlerontheroof, who finished 32 lengths behind Noble Yeats in last year's race, has a small tendon injury on one of his back legs, which unfortunately rules him out for the season.
Last year's winner Noble Yeats heads the weights for this year's race and will have to defy a 19lb rise if he is to join Red Rum and Tiger Roll as a winner of successive Nationals. He is a general 10-1 chance to retain his crown, while the only prominent British runner in the ante-post market, Corach Rambler, is 12-1 after being handed 10st 5lb.
The Grand National is the biggest steeplechase in the world and Tizzard is hopeful that The Big Breakaway can be competitive in it. With Fiddlerontheroof ruled out of the race due to injury, The Big Breakaway's performances over the coming months will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
