Joe Tizzard assessing options for The Changing Man

Joe Tizzard is pondering a raft of big-race options for Cheltenham Festival runner-up The Changing Man.

A consistent performer in some competitive staying handicaps this season, the eight-year-old headed to Prestbury Park on the back of a career best in the Reynoldstown at Ascot.

Having elected to run in the opening day Ultima Handicap rather than take on Grade One opposition in the Brown Advisory, The Changing Man was somewhat unfortunate to bump into Lucinda Russell’s on-song handicap blot Myretown, who ultimately proved too much to peg back when making all.

Tizzard also hit the crossbar in the National Hunt Chase with Rock My Way, but is hoping to get both back out on track before the season ends.

“It was a nice enough week and The Changing Man and Rock My Way both ran their races,” said Tizzard.

“Second is nothing in this game, but I can’t be too disappointed and they both turned up, ran their races and will have their day again soon.

“It will depend on the ground a little bit what we do next, but The Changing Man has bounced out of it and there’s Aintree, the Scottish National or Sandown for the bet365 Gold Cup he could go to.

“I would certainly be making an entry for the Grade One at Aintree, we entered in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham so we’ll definitely be taking a look. You don’t know how many are going to turn up at Aintree and I don’t imagine it will be a big field. We’ll cover all bases and make a decision.”

He added: “Rock My Way is only a novice for the next six weeks and I guess there is that three-mile novice handicap at Ayr we could think about.

“We’ll just have to see what the weather does and it’s drying out all the time, but they’ve both definitely come out of their races at Cheltenham well.”