Tizzard hails ‘proper performance’ from Alexei in Greatwood Hurdle

Alexei announced himself as a real prospect for Joe Tizzard with his performance in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The German-bred gelding was second to Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance and then won a valuable Ascot handicap, races that led nicely into his well-backed Greatwood bid, for which his Chepstow conqueror was a non-runner due to the ground.

Sent on his way as the 100-30 favourite under Brendan Powell, after travelling handily throughout he showed plenty of ability to work his way through the field and hit the front up the hill, powering clear after the last for an emphatic six-length triumph.

“He went up 7lb for his Ascot performance, (but) came out of it really well and I thought this was the best I’d had him but this was a step up again. To go away like he did after the last, it was a proper performance,” said Tizzard, who also enjoyed a winner earlier on the card through the Powell-ridden Triple Trade.

“Coming to the last I did just wonder what he was going to find, but Brendan said he wanted company coming down to it because he just has a look when he gets to the last.

“He won over two-mile-three in his maiden last year, so a fast-run two miles is ideal for him. The ground was my only concern, but it didn’t hinder him at all.”

He added: “I’m just enjoying what he’s doing at the moment, Ascot was only two weeks ago and he ran a blinder at Chepstow, so we’ve had two cracking weekends with him. I’m mindful that he’s done that twice in a fortnight, and on slower ground this time.

“I haven’t got a plan with him, the plan was these two and that’s where we’re at.

“Garth and Anne (Broom) are the best owners you can wish for, they deserve every success they get.”

A delighted Garth Broom, whose most famous day at Cheltenham to date was with Native River in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup, added: “He was more impressive there than he was at Ascot, wasn’t he?

“We looked up his German form and he’d run well on soft and heavy over there. I think he could be (better than a handicapper).”