Cue Card to run at Newbury before Arkle Chase
Cue Card is all set to make one final outing before the high profile Arkle Chase, as he will run in the Game Spirit Chase, to be held at Newbury next weekend.
The trainer and connections are looking to make the best use of this opportunity to prepare their six-year-old for next month’s Arkle Chase.
On the final day of 2011, Cue Card displayed a phenomenal performance to seal first place in the Betfred Goals Galore Novices' Chase at Newbury.
Outperforming, For Non Stop, and the 2 to 1 race favourite, Walkon, the horse secured a comprehensive 4-length victory. The win also helped him become the general 8 to 1 fourth favourite for the next month’s extravaganza.
Alongside other participants, Cue Card will meet Cheltenham favourite, Sprinter Sacre at Newbury. The jockey, Joe Tizzard is happy to have another chance to gear up for the mega battle.
"I'm most looking forward to Cue Card in the Arkle. We're heading to Newbury on February 11 for a spin in the Game Spirit and are likely to encounter Sprinter Sacre,” Tizzard wrote on his Wincanton racecourse blog.
He added: "It will be our final outing before the Festival. If we win, we'll be favourite for the Arkle and I'm delighted to report that Cue Card's in cracking form at home."
Trained by Colin Tizzard for owner, Mrs Jean R Bishop, Cue Card remained a bit unlucky in his second last outing in the Fuller's London Pride Novices' Chase, where he finished second by a short head’s margin. However, the horse regained his rhythm
by winning the crucial race on the eve of New Year.
Despite the fact that Cue Card is in a fine form at the movement, next weekend’s outing at Newbury will not be an easy one for him. His rival, Sprinter Sacre will also fancy his chances in the competition, as he is on a roll at the moment.
In the Grade-2 Williamhill.com Novices' Chase at Kempton, Sprinter Chase upset the favourite, Peddlers Cross to nab the top slot. It was a comprehensive victory for Nicky Henderson’s trainee, who topped the chart by a massive margin of 16 lengths.
Tags: