NO SWANSONG FOR CARD
CUE CARD, the ‘people’s racehorse’, has been retired after plans to give the 12-year-old his swansong at Sandown on Saturday week were yesterday abandoned by connections.
The Colin Tizzard-trained veteran, winner of Cheltenham’s Champion Bumper in 2010 and the Ryanair Chase four years later — as well as the 2015 King George VI Chase, three Betfair Chases (2013, 2015 and 2016) and two Ascot Chases (2013 and 2017) — was due to sign off in the bet365 Oaksey Chase.
But substandard homework has persuaded Tizzard (right) and son Joe to draw stumps on the Jean Bishop-owned bay’s career. “We’d have liked to have run at Sandown, but if he’s not right then he can’t run,” said Mrs Bishop, who will instead watch Cue Card parade at the Jump Finale card in 10 days’ time. “I think it was his longevity that made him stand out. “But my favourite day was the Cheltenham Bumper, because that was just so unexpected.
“He was 40-1 and it was the beginning of everything.”
CRACKSMAN continued the build-up towards his four-year-old debut in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp on Sunday week with a stylish workout at Newmarket yesterday.
“I couldn’t be more pleased,” said the colt’s trainer John Gosden.