Rock My Way ready to roll at Cheltenham

Rock My Way is more likely to be Joe Tizzard’s representative in Saturday’s £100,000 William Hill Bet Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase at Cheltenham than stablemate The Changing Man.

Both horses finished second at the Festival in March, with The Changing Man chasing home Myretown in the Ultima and Rock My Way finding only subsequent Irish National hero Haiti Couleurs too good in the National Hunt Chase.

Rock My Way went on to run a good race in the Scottish National when fifth while The Changing Man was third in Grade One company at Aintree.

“It’s plenty early enough but I’ve made a few entries and I’ve got to work a few over the next couple of days,” said Tizzard.

“I’ll probably run Rock My Way as he’s a bit more forward, The Changing Man will probably wait and go to Ascot the following weekend (Sodexo Gold Cup).

“They worked this morning, they worked nicely but I’ll have another look at them tomorrow and speak to everyone and see what they want to do.

“I think The Changing Man is still well enough handicapped. He improved all last season and was very consistent. He’ll have an entry in the Coral Gold Cup and will probably go to Ascot before it. If he wins and he goes up, well it’s a £100,000 race.

“Long term I’d like to have a go at a Grand National with him. First half of the season will be about Newbury, see how we get on there and then work our way back from the Grand National.

“Rock My Way is not off a crazy high mark and the form of the National Hunt Chase is rock solid with the winner winning the Irish National and Resplendent Grey (fourth) winning the bet365 Gold Cup.

“I got him in January so I’ve had him all summer now and I’d like to think he’d be a Welsh National type.”

JPR One was third in the Tingle Creek last season but his form tailed off after that. He is entered in the squareintheair.com Handicap Chase on Friday but is more likely to bid for a repeat win in the Haldon Gold Cup.

“JPR One will probably wait a bit longer and we’ll stick to the plan and go to Exeter with him. I just think my horses are needing a run a little bit,” said Tizzard, who is also contemplating sending Scarface to Aintree on Sunday for the William Hill Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase.

He added: “Ahoy Senor pushes him out of the weights so he could go to Wetherby the following Friday.

“I’ve seen he is only 10-1 for it though and he’s so consistent and ready to go, so he might well run.”