Star pointing graduate Lostintranslation heads a final field of five for the 2020 renewal of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
Fourth in a four-year-old maiden at Tattersalls for the late William Codd, the Flemensfirth gelding is a dual Grade 1 winner over the larger obstacles including a defeat of Bristol De Mai in last year’s renewal.
Lostintranslation made two subsequent appearances after his Haydock Park success – he disappointed when pulling up in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day but ended the season strongly with a staying-on third in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Trainer Colin Tizzard said: “Lostintranslation is in great form and we are looking forward to getting his season started.
“He went for an away day and we were really happy with the way he galloped. He also schooled last Wednesday morning and I was delighted with what I saw.
“Lostintranslation is of course the defending champion and we are looking forward to going back and hopefully winning the race again.
“I really couldn’t be happier with him at home. That racecourse gallop will have done him the world of good and the Betfair Chase can’t come soon enough.
“He is a lovely horse to have in the yard and we are looking forward to another good season with him."
Last year Lostintranslation announced himself as a rising star with a superb victory in the @Betfair Chase for the @colintizzard team %uD83D%uDE4C
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) November 14, 2020
Only 1%u20E3 week until we find out our 2020 #BetfairChase winner! pic.twitter.com/D5tiz3w2cM
He is joined in Saturday’s feature by fellow pointing graduate Bellshill, with the former Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup winner making his first appearance for his new handler, Scottish-based Sandy Thomson.
Thomson, who is based at Lambden, Berwickshire, said: “Bellshill is in fine form and we are looking forward to running in the Betfair Chase.
“He has been in great form since he came to me and enjoyed a racecourse gallop at Carlisle recently.
“We were delighted with that and he would not be going to Haydock unless we thought he was going to do himself justice.
“We’ll find out how he can get on against the likes of Lostintranslation, Bristol de Mai and Clan des Obeaux.
“These good horses need to start somewhere and it is great to have a horse like him in the yard."
