RIGHT ON CUE
Paddy backs legend to sign off with fairytale win
PADDY BRENNAN is adamant Cue Card can have a fairytale finale and put him back in the good books at Cheltenham.
The Irishman and his 12-yearold partner can write one of the most astonishing and emotional chapters of the 2018 Festival if they secure a famous second Ryanair Chase success on Thursday.
Colin Tizzard’s veteran has become a fixture at Cheltenham with stories of joy and despair littering a fabulous career.
Back in 2010, Jean Bishop’s star was first on the board with a scintillating success in the Champion Bumper at whopping odds of 40-1.
Having finished fourth in the 2011 Supreme to Al Ferof and second to the mighty Sprinter Sacre in the 2012 Arkle, Cue Card lifted the roof off Prestbury Park with a terrific Ryanair win in 2013.
That paved the way for his frustrating Gold Cup bids which began by injuries ruling him out the 2014 and 2015 runnings.
Come 2016 Cue Card was back and aiming for the £1million Triple Crown bonus before falling under Brennan as Don Cossack won.
Tizzard’s beast fell again at the same fence last year as Sizing John won and the handler considered retirement, while Brennan was bunted off the ride and the job handed to Harry Cobden.
The decision to keep him in training this season looked dodgy with two average runs.
But Brennan got his job back just before last month’s Ascot Chase and a runner-up spot behind Waiting Patiently put the pair right back into the Festival mix.
Tizzard considered a third Gold Cup tilt but it’s back to the Ryanair and his jockey feels the astounding could happen and the duo can sink favourite Un De Sceaux.
Brennan said: “Cheltenham is a special place. You could write a novel on Cue Card and one on me. Unfortunately for me a couple of times there on Cue Card I’ve been on the wrong side of the story.
“We owe each other one at Cheltenham and it is something we want to put right. I’m delighted he’s in the Ryanair Chase as I think a race like that is made for him.
“He’s an unbelievable horse and to keep turning up the way he did at Ascot is what makes him special.”
Cue Card is clearly the plum ride for Brennan over the week but he’s got big chances on two other starlets for Fergal O’Brien.
Poetic Rhythm is a sneaky fancy at big odds for the Albert Bartlett on Friday.
Brennan also believes that Cap Soleil is back in tip-top order for her crack at hotpot Laurina in the Mares Novice Hurdle, taking place just a couple of hours after the Ryanair.
He said: “The competition is fierce with the likes of Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott but he is in great form. I’m hopeful of a big run from him and Cap Soleil is a filly I like.
“She’s won six out of seven races, but the last time at Haydock wasn’t as impressive as we’d have liked.
“But, listen, we’ve got a lot of things right since then.”