The Changing Man heading to Coral Gold Cup

Joe Tizzard’s consistent chaser The Changing Man will head to the Coral Gold Cup, as a long-term Grand National plan awaits.

From seven runs last term the gelding was only out of the first three once – when falling on debut – and otherwise made the frame on every occasion with a Reynoldstown win and a second at the Festival the highlights of a profitable campaign.

He began his season this year in a valuable race at Ascot and was placed again, a run that sets him up nicely for Newbury at the end of the month.

“He’s going to head to the Coral Gold Cup now, he ran a winner’s race (at Ascot) and just got tired in the last 150 yards,” said Tizzard.

“There are a lot of seconds against his name, but he just seems to bump into one every now and then. He improves with every run and he’s a lovely horse to have in the yard. That’s where we’ll head next with him, Newbury.”

The National is the broader aim for the eight-year-old this term and that ambition will shape connections’ plans through the colder months.

Tizzard said: “We’ll look at the Grand National for him in the second half of the season, that’s been what we’ve been talking about with the owners all through the summer.

“We decided we’d have a crack at the (Coral) Gold Cup and then regroup and have a crack at the National.

“I wouldn’t mind a barn full of horses like him, and I’m sure he’ll get his head in front again at some point this season.”