Cue Card paving way for the King George VI Chase through the Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup Chase
There is not really much that the Colin Tizzard trained has to prove after the runner-up’s position in the last Arkle. On the basis of his highly improved form, the six-year-old, Cue Card, is entered as the favourite of the Grade 2 Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup Chase (A Limited Handicap) at Exeter over two miles, a furlong and 110 yards.
His tremendous success last time was in the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) on 17th March, 2010 at Cheltenham over two miles and half a furlong.
Riding with his regular jockey, Joe Tizzard, Cue Card won by eight lengths, setting Al Ferof as the runner-up.
The horse's jockey Joe Tizzard said: "He has been back in since the end of July. He is in terrific form and the plan was always to run him about now. It was tempting to take him to the Paddy Power Gold Cup or Kempton but two miles round Exeter first time out should suit him down to the ground.
"The Arkle was a really good run and he beat Menorah 20 lengths in the Arkle and he has to give us 3lb.”
"He will definitely have an entry in the King George. Dad is sure he stays. He is bred to stay. He gets two and a half. We are going to have a look at it. I would imagine there will be a run in between but we will see how we get on tomorrow first."
King’s Theatre’s bay gelding’s chance for the Exeter have improved due to his unforgiving performance in the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase on 13th March, 2012 at Cheltenham over two miles.
He could not make it to the winner’s enclosure, but did bag £27,781 prize money after finishing second against the favourite entry, Sprinter Sacre, who had Barry Geraghty onboard.
The plans of the connections also include the next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, but the entry in King George VI Chase is more alluring than contesting against Sprinter Sacre once more.
Other than Cue Card, there are two more entries in the field who are among the top seven in the betting for the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
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