Cue Card on fire with Gold Cup in his sights
History can often repeat itself and connections of Cue Card will be hoping that is the case at next month’s Cheltenham Festival following his impressive success in the Betfair Ascot Chase yesterday.
After winning the Grade One prize in 2013, the Colin Tizzard-trained gelding went on to strike in the Ryanair Chase at Prestbury Park, and, while that race is not on the agenda this term, a second tilt at the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup most certainly is.
Having found only stablemate Thistlecrack too strong in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, the 11-year-old was sent off the 4-9 favourite yesterday to register his ninth top-level success. Placed just behind the pace-setting Royal Regatta, the market leader jumped boldly throughout before producing a magnificent leap at the fourth-last to join forces with the long-time leader.
Although Royal Regatta attempted to go with Paddy Brennan’s mount, he was a spent force, with Cue Card forging on into a clear advantage on the run to the final fence.
Meeting the last on a good stride, the Bishop-owned gelding continued to draw clear before finishing an easeddown 15-length winner from Shantou Flyer, who pipped the brave Royal Regatta for second. Cue Card was cut to 6-1 for the Gold Cup by both William Hill and Paddy Power, who had been 7-1 and 8-1 respectively.
Tizzard – who is 10-1 with Hills to saddle the first three home in the Cheltenham showpiece – said: “It’s nice to see his well-being, really. After the last race he was a bit wrong and had a big, fat leg, but he has been perfect all the way through.
“He is 11 and you wonder, ‘how many times can he keep doing this?’ but he is back again. Today he jumped beautifully and he destroyed them. It was everything you want to see and more.”
He added: “The plan is to run Cue Card, Thistlecrack and Native River in the Gold Cup, and possibly Theatre Guide as well.”
Having watched her star horse take a tumble in the Gold Cup 12 months ago when still full of running and in search of a £1million bonus, Bishop is now hoping he can put the record straight in just under four weeks’ time.
“At Aintree last year they said that was his best performance, but he seems to be getting better and better,” she said. “He doesn’t know he is 11 and you wouldn’t know he is.”