I think it's daft to come down firmly on one side or another at this stage with regard to future running plans. I'm keeping an open mind and I think that's the view the trainer is expressing.
I would say that the last four-year-old to win the Cheltenham bumper, Dato Star, was aimed at the Champion Hurdle during his novice hurdle season (unfortunately injury got in the way). That was in 1996 and at the time it was unfashionable to run a 5-year-old in the Champion let alone plan to win it. You had to go back to See You Then (1986), Night Nurse (1976), and Persian War (1968) so unsurprisingly it was felt you needed a very classy horse.
Katchit (2008) was amazingly the first 5-year-old to win the Champion since 1986. Perhaps trainers will be a little more open-minded now.
I would say on the evidence of my eyes that Cue Card is a more likely type for the Champion than Dato was as I think he has more pace. I'm also on record as saying, before his hurdle debut, that I thought he was the best bumper recruit since Montelado. My advice, stated before on the forum, is to forget any comparisons to Dunguib.
Whatever races Cue Card runs in I'm going to enjoy watching him and I hope he stays fit and well along with his down to earth connections.

"Dare Me ,Hobbs's nap as the horse to watch for the season, goes tomorrow under a penalty"

....in the 2.05 at Exeter @ 2/9 on

have bet bisopsfurze for the 2m 5f novice event ante post

Was running on well behind the superb bumper winner big price and like you say Dare me and others are franking the form

ReaseHeath Joined: 15 May 04
Replies: 3948 07 Nov 10 19:54   


Cue Card entered at Cheltenham on Fri

over what trip ?

Against my first ap in the King Of The Night with Noel booked already. I hope mine does not go too close.

I will be there anyway.

Colin Tizzard believes he has nothing to fear as his star turn Cue Card steps up in grade for the Cheltenham Collection Sharp Novices' Hurdle on Friday.

The four-year-old was a devastating winner of the Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park back in March and it was difficult not to be impressed with his hurdling debut success at Aintree last month.

He will certainly face a sterner test in tomorrow's Grade Two contest, but Tizzard remains confident his youngster can prove too strong for his rivals.

"I didn't expect anything other than a very good race," said the Dorset handler.

"It's Cheltenham and at this time of year everyone wants to know how good their horses are.

"It's a lovely race and I think we'll find out a fair bit more about him.

"But on our bumper form we're a fair bit in front of these horses, so there is no reason for us to back off.

"It's a good race, we're looking forward to it and it should be lovely ground.

"I think he'd handle any ground actually and I don't want to tempt fate but he's always been a good jumper."

Cue Card will face seven rivals, including Philip Hobbs' unbeaten hurdler Dunraven Storm.

Paul Nicholls saddles course-and-distance winner King Of The Night, Nicky Henderson's Owen Glendower is two from two over hurdles, while the George Moore-trained Maska Pony has been running well in minor events.

Ballyadam Brook and Far Away So Close are both interesting raiders from Ireland, while Valid Point is the likely outsider.

Far Away So Close has won his last two races over hurdles but his trainer Paul Nolan is under no illusions about the task in hand.

"He'll obviously have to improve an awful lot but he does have experience and will take his chance," said the County Wexford handler.

"Cue Card is the talking horse at the moment, very much like Dunguib last year. His jumping looks good and he deserves to be the short-priced favourite."

Dunraven is a very nice sort but second string in the stable to Dare Me and has 27 lengths to find on Cue Card on champion bumper form - what is more Cue Card's jumping looks slicker than Dunravens.
I suspect any challenge could come from the Nicholls horse.

I really like King Of The Night after backing him lto so i might back him ew tomorrow instead of the fav.

Not sure if it just coincidence at this stage of his given he has had just 5 runs, but Dunravens wins have all come on right handed tracks, and they were expecting a big run from him at Cheltenhma in the bumper where he disappointed.

Dunraven didnt seem to have the pace to go with them when they quickened in the Bumper- be nice if he could give Cue Card a race.

Impressive. The 2nd looks a decent horse and he brushed him aside despite being a bit untidy at a couple down the back.
If Dunraven were mine I'd be looking to send him chasing, he'll not reverse the form but already looks like a chaser in the making.

DUNGUIB ALL OVER AGAIN ,THIS MONSTER CAN JUMP ASWELL THO , will be taking the 3s on this

Champion Hurdle?

If he were mine that's where I'd be heading!

Very happy with that. Loads of speed which hopefully means the Neptune is out of the picture. From a purely selfish view I hope they dont get sucked into the Champion route.

They'd be crazy to go for the Champion imo.

Yes he was impressive, but that was a long way from winning a CH

Only an IDITO would back him for the Champion.

CCM, why did you leave him out of your TTF

3/1 for March is a good price aswell.

he was the first name I wrote down Sint. But I decided that you dont get as many points for novice wins. Feel like a right tw@t no mind you

yeah that's true. The prie money over here is not great although the trainer thinks we'll see him twice more before March, with any luck.

I agree uncle. No bet for me either. I doubt I'd back many horses this short, this far out, but particularly a novice.

He doesnt look the most robust either to me. Will be interesting to see how they campaign him. If he were mine, I'd give him 2 runs max before March