Colin Tizzard won the Tolworth Hurdle in 2017 and 2019.

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson:

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FIDDLERONTHEROOF heads the betting for the Unibet Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday where he bids to secure Colin Tizzard’s third win in the Grade 1 contest in four years.

Tizzard won the valuable two-mile contest in 2017 with Finian’s Oscar and last year with Elixir Du Nutz and connections have given an upbeat report on this year’s entry in Sandown’s early year showpiece.

Fiddlerontheroof has impressed in three starts since joining Tizzard last year. He ran well at his first start for the Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer when finishing second to subsequent Grade 1 winner Thyme Hill in a Grade 2 event at Chepstow in October.

The lightly raced six-year-old, whose six races under rules have returned two wins and four placings, was then narrowly beaten by the Alan King-trained Edwardstone on good ground at Wincanton.

At his next start Tizzard’s charge appeared to relish the softer ground conditions when winning a Class 3 novice’s hurdle on heavy ground over course and distance at Sandown on December 7.

There Fiddlerontheroof was sent off the 8-13 favourite and justified market confidence as he made all under jockey Robbie Power, going clear two fences from home and remaining well in command in the closing stages to score by seven lengths.

“He goes to the Tolworth, He was impressive last time and he proved he handled the track and the ground,” assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said of Fiddlerontheroof who heads the betting at 15-8 for the Sandown contest where he faces a maximum of six rivals.

“He has got form around there, which is good, especially around a track like Sandown, as if it gets really heavy it can take a lot of getting.

“His form looks rock solid and I think those novice hurdles he was beaten in look particularly strong. That Wincanton race we tried be clever, but it backfired as he came up against a really quite good one in Edwardstone.

“He would have a great chance as he is a big, strong horse and can handle Sandown and the soft ground there.”

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson. Showcasing horse racing in London and the south east.