The excitement is building around the forthcoming national hunt season. The big players within the Colin Tizzard yard are nearing their returns.

It has been confirmed that the Colin Tizzard trained Native River will be targeted at this seasons lucrative Jockey Club’s £1million Triple Crown bonus.

The reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero is set to start his season at the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 24 with the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton and Magners Gold Cup at Cheltenham the other two legs of the money-spinning treble.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer to his father Colin stated “Native River will go straight to Haydock. He’s galloping away and looks an absolute picture,” “The Million is the sort of plan. Those horses, the routes get mapped out for them - Haydock, then the King George and the Gold Cup. That’s three obvious targets, and they’re spaced out lovely.”

Their other stable star Thistlecrack, winner of the King George as a novice in 2016, is set to make his seasonal debut in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on November 3.

Joe Tizzard stated “Thistlecrack had a school this morning. Tom Scudamore schooled him. He’s been back in quite a while, and the plan is to take him to the Charlie Hall,” He’s in lovely form, probably the best form he’s been in for six months.”

Tizzard also revealed the yard is really tempted to send last season’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner, Kilbricken Storm, novice chasing this term rather than target the Stayers’ Hurdle.

“Harry Cobden schooled him first time over fences for us this morning. He jumped super,” he said. “He’s actually filled out a lot over the summer and he looks magnificent. I’m really excited about him. We haven’t really pencilled in where we are going to start with him. It will probably be the end of this month or beginning of November we’ll start with him.

“We’ve had a few discussions about whether we’re going to leave him for a Stayers’ Hurdle or go novice chasing, but he jumped a fence super this morning, all the signs looks good.

The Tizzard operation looks set to have another successful year. Onwards and upwards with their yard of capable thoroughbreds.