Coral Racing Ambassador, Joe Tizzard, previews his sole runner on Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival, First Confession, who runs in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

15:20 Cheltenham – First Confession

The Albert Bartlett is a race dad [Colin] won with a big priced outsider, Kilbricken Storm, a few years ago, so we’re not afraid to run one at big odds if we think they can do themselves justice, and that certainly applies to this horse. Although his two wins at Ascot this season have been in small fields, the form of his most recent win is working out well, with runner-up and fourth home both winning since.

I’m happy to put a line through his Challow Hurdle run as he just never showed up that day, and he proved that with his Ascot run afterwards. I think he will improve again for the step up in trip, and whatever happens here I can’t wait to go novice chasing with him next season, I think he could be a horse we’re bringing back here next year for a novice chase. Before then though, I believe he can outrun his odds here, and I’m really looking forward to this.

Gold Cup Preview

No Gold Cup is easy to win, but Galopin Des Champs looks a cut above his rivals. He’s been here and done it twice, and looked better than ever at Leopardstown at Christmas.

We have seen earlier this week that the fences are there to be jumped and if you don’t, you can get beat, but I don’t expect this horse to make those sort of mistakes, and he should be joining the small group of three time Gold Cup winners.

Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador