Connections believe Lostintranslation is more than capable of defending the Betfair Chase despite his low key preparations for the Haydock feature.
The eight-year-old secured trainer Colin Tizzard's fourth win in the Group 1 race 12 months ago, but he went into that run on the back of a warm-up victory at Carlisle.
However, this year the race will mark Lostintranslation's first run since finishing third at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, but connections are confident the son of Flemensfirth will still be more than ready to defend his title on November 21.
Joe Tizzard, son and assistant trainer was quoted as saying by Racing TV: “Lostintranslation is exactly where we want him to be. He has had little away day and a racecourse gallop, and we are happy going there first time out.
“Because he could run in an intermediate chase last year at Carlisle, we thought that was the perfect stepping stone for him.
“This year we knew all the way through the Betfair would be his first run, so we have him fit enough to go there and do himself justice at Haydock, because it is a big pot.”
Lostintranslation finished behind only Al Boum Photo and Santini in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and Joe Tizzard is already talking up the gelding's chances of going one better in the Festival showpiece next March.
“He travelled well in the Gold Cup last year and jumped the last upsides them, before just getting beat,” the assistant added. “He will be much better for another year on his back, and if he runs like that again he will not be too far away.”
