An impressive display in the Ladbrokes Trophy has got punters talking about a shot at the iconic steeplechase.
Going off at 12/1, Sizing Tennessee produced a dominant display to win the Ladbrokes Trophy by ten lengths at Newbury on Saturday afternoon. Punters have already been backing him to win the Grand National after that display.
Bookies can’t agree on a price for the 10-year-old, with some as short as 25/1, while a best price of 50/1 is still available in places. A flurry of bets on the Grand National ante-post market followed the race, with Sizing Tennessee accruing 39% of bets on that market since the race.
The field for the Ladbrokes Trophy was perhaps not quite as packed with quality as it has been in the past, but winning the 3m2f highlight at Newbury on testing ground was enough to get punters talking about where Colin Tizzard might aim his chaser next.
He beat stablemate Elegant Escape and well-backed Dingo Dollar, as well as favourite Thomas Patrick, who did not complete the race.
Trainer Tizzard has been careful not to cause too much of a buzz around the gelding due to his age and injury history, but has not ruled out a shot at one of the major races next year. He trained Native River, winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2016, who then went on to win the Welsh Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Welsh Grand National is a more likely next step for Sizing Tennessee before looking towards the spring, currently priced at 12/1 for that race.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “The manner of Sizing Tennessee's victory at Newbury suggests that this could be a season to remember for the Colin Tizzard trained 10 year-old.”
“The Grand National may be the long term aim, but more pressingly he is favourite with a number of bookmakers for this month's Welsh national at Chepstow.”
