Will Lostintranslation run in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Lostintranslation was labelled the ‘forgotten’ horse prior to his participation in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which he finished a highly creditable third, beaten a neck and 1ΒΌ lengths by Al Boum Photo and Santini. He had previously been pulled up in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, having suffered a breathing problem, but subsequently underwent a soft palate operation.
The Flemensfirth gelding reappeared in the Betfair Chase at Haydock where, despite heavy going, on which he had been soundly beaten previously, he was sent off 7/4 favourite to beat four rivals, only two of whom had any realistic chance at the weights. Lostintranslation ran a lacklustre race, losing touch with the leaders before the second-last fence and trailing in third, beaten 47 lengths, behind the winner, Bristol De Mai. On Boxing Day, he lined up in the King George VI Chase for the second year running but, despite assistant trainer Joe Tizzard announcing ‘complete faith’ in hime beforehand, was pulled up after the fourth-last, having burst a blood vessel.
Prior to Kempton, Tizzard had also said of Lostintranslation, ‘If we get him right he can be competitive in these top races’ but, granted he has disappointed on three of his last four starts, that appears to be an increasingly big ‘if’. Connections have yet to make any announcement with regard to the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup, but doubts about him have seen him pushed out to a dismissive
33/1 in the ante post lists.