Tizzard outlines next step for Greatwood hero Alexei

Joe Tizzard is content to bid his time in the handicap ranks for now with Greatwood Hurdle winner Alexei and seek further riches at Ascot before Christmas in the valuable Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle.

The improving five-year-old built on his reappearance second in the Welsh Champion Hurdle to run away with what is traditionally one of the most competitive handicaps of the season at Cheltenham, and the Venn Farm handler now has his sights on the £125,000 on offer in Bekshire on December 20.

Tizzard said: “It was the plan to go there (Cheltenham) after he won at Ascot (at the beginning of November) and I thought it looked as open and as competitive as ever on paper. But the way he did it was really exciting and it will be interesting to see what the handicapper does about it next Tuesday.

“We’ll probably go for the Ascot handicap just before Christmas. He only won off 134 last weekend so he’s a little bit off stepping out of handicaps for the time being, I think.”

Connections are entitled to dream following the manner of Alexei’s six-length victory and although Tizzard is keen to keep feet grounded for the time being, he admitted bigger targets have been discussed.

But most importantly the Greatwood triumph was the perfect way to cap a fine weekend for the Dorset operation who registered a treble over the course of Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting, as well as tasting further success elsewhere.

“Everything has been mentioned and there’s been lots of nice discussions with the owners (Garth and Anne Broom), but I do think we’ll be all right still in handicaps for the moment,” added Tizzard.

“It was a brilliant weekend on the whole for us, we had winners at Cheltenham but seven over the whole weekend and through Monday at various places.

“The horses look great and are running out of their skin, not just in little races but also really competitive races as well and it’s a lovely position for any trainer to be in. The yard has a great feel with everybody up for having a go at anything.”