Tizzard horses on Cue for Gold Cup
CUE CARD and Native River head a list of 14 contenders for Friday’s Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature event on the final day of the Festival.
The pair, who are both trained by Colin Tizzard, have been battling it out at the head of the market after Cue Card emerged an impressive winner of the Ascot Chase last time.
Native River added to his Hennessy and Welsh National successes when winning his prep race in the Denman Chase at Newbury.
Willie Mullins’ Djakadam, who has finished second in the last two Gold Cups, is also at the head of the market and he is one of five Irish-trained contenders.
Gordon Elliott was forced to rule Don Poli out on Friday but he still has Outlander and Empire Of Dirt in the mix.
Jessica Harrington’s Sizing John and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Champagne West are other leading hopes from Ireland.
Paul Nicholls, who has won the race four times, relies upon outsider Saphir Du Rheu and while stable jockey Sam Twiston-Davies is pleased to take the ride, he rates Djakadam as the horse he would most like to partner.
He told ITV4’s The Opening Show: ‘We have Saphir Du Rheu, but with the top three, they could be very hard to beat.
‘I ride Saphir Du Rheu but if (I wasn’t), I would like to be on Djakadam.He’s been there before, his form is rock-solid and he’s been freshened up for the race. There’s a lot to like about him.’
The rider’s father, Nigel Twiston-Davies, won the race with Imperial Commander back in 2010 and has Bristol De Mai in contention this time.
Jonjo O’Neill is doubly represented with Minella Rocco and More Of That, while the list of hopefuls is completed by Irish Cavalier, Smad Place and Tea For Two.
Conditions remained unchanged at the Cotswolds course yesterday as only a little rain has been forecast ahead of the four-day Festival that starts on Tuesday.
‘I’m leaving the old and new courses as good to soft, and the cross-country course is still good to soft, good in places,’ said clerk of the course Simon Claisse.
‘The outlook remains mostly dry, although we might get a little light rain. Watering is not in our current thinking.’
Moon Racer will run in the Stan James Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, trainer David Pipe has announced. The eightyear-old was also a leading fancy for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on the same afternoon
Ante-post favourite Defi Du Seuil features among 23 horses left in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday following the confirmation stage.