Joe Tizzard Saturday Blog | Aintree
06 Nov 2026
Coral Racing Ambassador, Joe Tizzard, previews the chances of his superstar hurdler, Alexei, in the Grade 2 Molyneux Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday.
13:45 Aintree
Alexei was one of the stars of last season for us, progressing through big handicaps into Grade One company, including the Champion Hurdle, which was a new experience for us, as historically we’ve been better known for top class staying chasers, so it was great to show that we can train all types of horses.
I couldn’t be happier with him at home, he’s fresh and well. I was originally going to wait until the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at the end of the month, but he’s so fit and well in his homework and his schooling, he can start the new season here. He ended last season with a third place in the Grade One hurdle here at the Grand National meeting, so we know he acts around here. That will leave three weeks until Newcastle, so perfect timing.
Looking at him physically I don’t think he’s changed massively over the summer, he is Flat bred so is never going to be a big strapping sort to look at. Given he’s only six, and seeing how he improved last season, I do feel there is more to come from him. Looking back at the Champion Hurdle, he was only one slight mistake away from finishing even closer to the winner and I think he progressed again at Aintree.
He’s as straight as I’d want him fitness wise for his first run, he was pleasing me so much in his homework I decided I didn’t want to back off him, so that’s when we decided to aim at this race. That wasn’t a decision we made last minute, this has been the plan for a few weeks, so I wouldn’t want him any fitter for this. Although like all horses he’ll come on for the run to a degree, I won’t be using
his fitness as any sort of excuse.
Harry Cobden is booked to ride in Brendan Powell’s absence, obviously Harry has ridden plenty for us over the years, and was available, so it was an easy decision. We will give the lads who ride regularly for us opportunities while Brendan is out and we’ll also use the best available for some of these big days.
The form my horses are in, I can’t wait to run him. I’m really looking forward to this.
Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador
13:45 Aintree
Alexei was one of the stars of last season for us, progressing through big handicaps into Grade One company, including the Champion Hurdle, which was a new experience for us, as historically we’ve been better known for top class staying chasers, so it was great to show that we can train all types of horses.
I couldn’t be happier with him at home, he’s fresh and well. I was originally going to wait until the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at the end of the month, but he’s so fit and well in his homework and his schooling, he can start the new season here. He ended last season with a third place in the Grade One hurdle here at the Grand National meeting, so we know he acts around here. That will leave three weeks until Newcastle, so perfect timing.
Looking at him physically I don’t think he’s changed massively over the summer, he is Flat bred so is never going to be a big strapping sort to look at. Given he’s only six, and seeing how he improved last season, I do feel there is more to come from him. Looking back at the Champion Hurdle, he was only one slight mistake away from finishing even closer to the winner and I think he progressed again at Aintree.
He’s as straight as I’d want him fitness wise for his first run, he was pleasing me so much in his homework I decided I didn’t want to back off him, so that’s when we decided to aim at this race. That wasn’t a decision we made last minute, this has been the plan for a few weeks, so I wouldn’t want him any fitter for this. Although like all horses he’ll come on for the run to a degree, I won’t be using
his fitness as any sort of excuse.
Harry Cobden is booked to ride in Brendan Powell’s absence, obviously Harry has ridden plenty for us over the years, and was available, so it was an easy decision. We will give the lads who ride regularly for us opportunities while Brendan is out and we’ll also use the best available for some of these big days.
The form my horses are in, I can’t wait to run him. I’m really looking forward to this.
Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Ambassador
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