Joe Tizzard believes War Lord will relish the step up in distance when he lines up in the AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Joe Tizzard says he is concerned about the ground, although War Lord will relish the step up in distance when he lines up in the AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Exeter’s Betway Haldon Gold Cup provided Joe Tizzard with his first major win as a jockey and he is looking to War Lord to give him a his first big-race success as a trainer on Friday.

War Lord gained handsome compensation for his fine run in a Grade One on his previous start with a hard-fought victory in the Cazoo Novices’ Chase at Lingfield.

The well-backed War Lord produced a lethal turn of foot to land his maiden victory in the $65,000 Initiation Division 2 race (1200m) on Sunday.