Ghizao
Ghizao is one of the few German horses running at the Cheltenham Festival this year. The seven-year-old Bay Gelding is one of the prize assets from the Paul Nicholls stables and joint favourite to win the Arkle in 2011 at 9/2.
The horse was bred from Tiger Hill (IRE) and Glorosia (FR). Ghizao has been trained specifically for jump races and has already raced at Cheltenham five times in a total of nine races.
Ghizao’s First Race
Ghizao’s first race came on August 23 2009 at Newton Abbot in a field of ten. Ghizao stayed with the leaders for the entire 17-furlong race before leading the pace home inside the final few furlongs.
Ghizao’s first race was an example for all to see and it was clear that Paul Nicholls’ horse packed a big punch. Further success followed two months later at Cheltenham over 16 furlongs as Ruby Walsh led the horse to an easy win of six lengths when the horse had been behind the leaders five furlongs out.
Ghizao’s Running Style
Paul Nicholls has kept Ghizao’s running style virtually the same for the entire career of the horse. The horse has had four different jockeys in total; Christian Williams, Ruby Walsh, Nick Schofield and Timmy Murphy.
All of the jockeys have ridden Ghizao with a similar style. The German Bay Gelding seems to like tucking into the chasing pack if there is a run away leader or the leading pack if there isn’t.
The big punch of this horse comes from a few furlongs out when the jockey pushes the horse on. Ghizao picks up speed and races past the rest of the field when the other horses are starting to tire.
Ghizao’s Form
Ghizaoís recent form has been very good although the horse hasn’t raced in 2011. A second place finish in October last year at Cheltenham only saw Ghizao beaten as favourite by superb jumping from Kilmurray.
Two back-to-back wins followed at Cheltenham and Newbury over 16 and 18 furlongs and the horse hasn’t raced since. Ghizao’s form for 2011 could potentially be very explosive because the horse won by four and a half lengths in that race at Newbury heavier than ever at 11 stones and ten pounds.
Ghizao’s Strengths
Ghizao’s strengths seem to lay in the way the horse behaves around the racecourse and the style that Nicholls has adopted. The horse behaves with a brilliant attitude and doesn’t seem to be flustered in the face of large fields of runners and large crowds.
The horse has a very strong finish that is difficult for other horses to match. Ghizao can sometimes fall off the pace at the start of a race but there is always plenty in the tank towards the end whether it’s a 16 or 21 furlong race.
Danger with Ghizao
The main danger with Ghizao is that the horse has historically struggled in fast paced high class races. The horse finished 12th at the Cheltenham Festival last year in a 27 field Grade 1 race. Therefore, 9/2 may seem a little short for a few punters.