October change for Joe Tizzard as licence switch from father Colin beckons

Joe Tizzard is expecting to take over the training licence from his father Colin in October in time for an exciting period for the powerful stable.

Colin Tizzard announced in March that the 2020-21 campaign would be his last and the licence would be handed over to son and assistant Joe, bringing down the curtain on a highly successful career for the Dorset-based trainer that has featured 32 Grade 1 wins and jumping greats such as Native River, Cue Card and ­Thistlecrack.

The handover had been expected to be completed once Joe finished his training modules by the autumn and he confirmed the switch is on course for October with the final touches being put in place.

"I've got another course to do in October, so it won't be until then when it all goes through, but everything is on course to change hands then," Joe Tizzard said. "It will be just a change in name at the top of the paper to be honest.

Colin and Joe Tizzard: end of an era is set for October when Colin hands the licence over to his sonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's a perfect scenario because it's an exciting time for me and also takes the pressure off Dad a little bit. However, not much is going to change because we're all a team and have always worked like that.

"He's still up there every morning by my shoulder, so it's a lovely position to be in."

Colin Tizzard's four most memorable moments as a trainer

The Tizzards had a testing campaign last term with some leading contenders running below their best, but Joe is relishing the new season getting going in earnest.

His team in his first season as a trainer will be spearheaded by popular 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River, who has returned in "magnificent" shape despite his veteran status.

He added: "All the big guns are back in and doing plenty of work, but across the board every horse looks fantastic in their skin and getting fitter. We couldn't be happier. It's a really exciting time as we had a quiet season last time by our standards, so we're looking forward to getting back on track.

"Native River looks magnificent. He's become more ground dependent as he's got older and if it's soft enough he'll start at Haydock [in the Betfair Chase], but if not we'll wait until it comes right.

"When he won the Cotswold Chase at Sandown he was the highest-rated chaser in Britain and he still shows every bit of enthusiasm at home that he's ever shown."

Native River: 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero is back in trainingCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Fiddlerontheroof and The Big Breakaway – last season's Brown Advisory Novices' Chase second and third – could have the Paddy Power Gold Cup or Ladbrokes Trophy as their first major targets, while Lostintranslation will not be seen until the second half of the campaign.

Riding plans are yet to be decided with last season's stable jockey Robbie Power recuperating in Ireland from an injury he suffered earlier in the summer.

"We haven't really planned jockeys yet. We normally wait until our owners' day on September 12 before those plans come along," Tizzard said.

"I haven't spoken to Robbie for a bit as he's had surgery on his back, but we'll work it out as we go forward."

Read more:

Colin Tizzard to hand over training licence to son Joe later this year

Colin Tizzard's four most memorable moments as a trainer

Meet Chantilly's ambitious new young trainer who starts out in September

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