Tiutchev back on track

Tiutchev is on course for a tilt at the new Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy Chase at Cheltenham Festival after returning to the care of trainer Martin Pipe.

The 12-year-old was sent to the Royal Veterinary College in Hendon for a thorough examination after pulling up in the King George VI Chase on his comeback outing.

Although the gelding was found to be lame after that run, the medical team did not find anything seriously wrong.

Jerry Wright, spokesman for owners The Liars Poker Partnership, said today: “It transpired he picked up a muscular infection at Kempton which responded to antibiotics and the lameness quickly disappeared.”

Tiutchev is also entered for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup but connections are favouring the shorter race before heading to Aintree.

“He has been entered in the Gold Cup but our preferred option is the Daily Telegraph race which will hopefully tee him up for another crack at the Martell Cup at Aintree,” Wright added.