RIGHT ON CUE
JEZKI’S likely Cheltenham target is the Stayers Hurdle following his four length eclipse at 2/5 by Tombstone over two miles at Gowran Park yesterday. Trainer Jessica Harrington, however, didn’t rule out a third tilt at the Champion Hurdle for the nineyear-old who struggled in the testing going and was beaten before a final flight error.
‘We’ll wait and see. It is too early to make any decision on Cheltenham yet. He has never gone well on this sort of ground,’ she said. Tombstone, trained by Gordon Elliott, gave Bryan Cooper a winning return after a seven-week absence with a fractured pelvis.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh combined for a treble with Bachasson (11/4), Ballycasey (4/7) and Dandy Mag (11/10), a half brother to Vroum Vroum Mag.
Meanwhile, Colin Tizzard’s grip on the Gold Cup got even tighter as Cue Card gave a timely reminder of his talents with an authoritative victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase.
A lot has happened since Cue Card last won this race back in 2013, but he showed he has lost none of his ability and will head to Prestbury Park with as good a chance as any in the blue riband.
He will be part of a formidable assault on the Gold Cup from Tizzard, along with Thistlecrack and Native River, who are also high in the ante-post lists, and possibly Theatre Guide as well.
This two-mile five-furlong trip might be considered slightly short for Cue Card these days and there was no doubt the further they went the better he went, as he won by 15 lengths under regular partner Paddy Brennan.
Tizzard said: ‘It’s nice to see his well-being. 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. In the ring he looked as well as ever and on form he needed to do that. I spoke to Jean (Bishop, owner) and it is her ambition to win the Gold Cup.’
At Wincanton, leading Champion Hurdle contender Yanworth gave a workmanlike display as he completed a hat-trick this term with a narrow success in the Betway Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.