Cheltenham Festival
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03 Oct 11
21:24
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
By James Pugh racingpost.com
CHELTENHAM Festival winner Cue Card is on target to make his eagerly awaited chasing debut at Chepstow on Saturday, but will require "genuine good ground" according to trainer Colin Tizzard if he is to line up.
Among his rivals in the 2m3f novice chase could be the Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti, whose participation is also ground dependent.
"We could do with some rain but if it's genuine good ground there is a very good chance he'll run," said Tizzard. "But if it's very quick we won't take a chance with him.
"I don't know what Cue Card's best trip is, usually a Champion Bumper horse can make up in to a three-miler but he has loads of pace," said Tizzard.
"We'll see after his first few runs and make a decision then. His jumping has never been a problem, he hasn't schooled on grass but he has jumped indoors and he's been brilliant.
"He's always been a good jumper and if the ground's right he'll run," he added.
The ground at Chepstow was described as good on Monday but clerk of the course Keith Ottesen expects the going to ease before the weekend.
He said: "The aim is to provide at least good ground depending on how much rainfall we get."
CHELTENHAM Festival winner Cue Card is on target to make his eagerly awaited chasing debut at Chepstow on Saturday, but will require "genuine good ground" according to trainer Colin Tizzard if he is to line up.
Among his rivals in the 2m3f novice chase could be the Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti, whose participation is also ground dependent.
"We could do with some rain but if it's genuine good ground there is a very good chance he'll run," said Tizzard. "But if it's very quick we won't take a chance with him.
"I don't know what Cue Card's best trip is, usually a Champion Bumper horse can make up in to a three-miler but he has loads of pace," said Tizzard.
"We'll see after his first few runs and make a decision then. His jumping has never been a problem, he hasn't schooled on grass but he has jumped indoors and he's been brilliant.
"He's always been a good jumper and if the ground's right he'll run," he added.
The ground at Chepstow was described as good on Monday but clerk of the course Keith Ottesen expects the going to ease before the weekend.
He said: "The aim is to provide at least good ground depending on how much rainfall we get."
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why do you ALWAYS have to post news...you must spend every second waiting for some kind of announcment then rush to copy and paste it all over the forum on every topic, we can all read the racingpost you know !! have a day off mate.
Yeah please ignore the first reply, I appreciate it too! Such is the layout of the RP site I often miss interesting bits of news on there.
Also, a discussion can then arise regarding the horse in question, so even if people have read that article it allows then for some debate.
Also, a discussion can then arise regarding the horse in question, so even if people have read that article it allows then for some debate.
keep posting anaglogs be it horses/football or general interest .
keep posting, promotes discussion and its not like we are forced to open a fred if its something we already know/dont care about
Top bumper/novice hurdler Cue Card to start chasing career at Chepstow on Saturday after 3/4 inch of rain at SE Wales track overnight
nice performance. reached for one or two but should improve with time
Agree FFT especially with a bit more pace in the race
But which race would be long term target? Surely Arkle would be too sharp?
will run in arkle - finish outside of places and then come in to its own over 3 miles imo
pre race i thought this horse would be best over 3m,and indeed time will tell that he might ...but..i needed to reassess after that.
Holes can/will be picked in the race ,as far as sconti will need further and m flips wont be top class but just look at the way cuecard has attacked those fences[especially the one where flips came upsides 4/5 out i think].
Cuecard was given his head and took 2length out of the fence,i thought it was a decent performance and really u couldnt ask for anymore for a chase debut..
If he was mine id be delighted and aiming him towards the independent newspapers chase at chelt where id front run him.Without question i feel they have to go for the arkle if he continues to improve as his speed allied with the fact u have to stay 2.4m to win a truly ran arkle ,gives him all the attributes you need.
Holes can/will be picked in the race ,as far as sconti will need further and m flips wont be top class but just look at the way cuecard has attacked those fences[especially the one where flips came upsides 4/5 out i think].
Cuecard was given his head and took 2length out of the fence,i thought it was a decent performance and really u couldnt ask for anymore for a chase debut..
If he was mine id be delighted and aiming him towards the independent newspapers chase at chelt where id front run him.Without question i feel they have to go for the arkle if he continues to improve as his speed allied with the fact u have to stay 2.4m to win a truly ran arkle ,gives him all the attributes you need.
Arkle right race for him no doubt, whether he's good enough i'm not sure
Thought he looked top class. He was full of himself on the first circuit and had to set his own pace. If there was more pace in the race he would have pinged them all,imo. Absolutley built like a chaser.
No idea if he'll be aimed for the Arkle or the 20f G2 and no interest in taking ante-post prices at this stage.
No idea if he'll be aimed for the Arkle or the 20f G2 and no interest in taking ante-post prices at this stage.
hey FFT, where is Eric Morris/Kirk.St.Puss/Mayweather/Franklestein ? 
Eric/Kirk will be on when the NH season gets going and gives us the winners after the races
Mayweather is waiting to tell us how good Big Buck's, Long Run and Hurricane Fly are when they reappear
The latter was last seen running a marathon somewhere
Mayweather is waiting to tell us how good Big Buck's, Long Run and Hurricane Fly are when they reappear
The latter was last seen running a marathon somewhere
they are all the same [;)]
Frankelstein was a new account holder,opended recently, but im pretty sure it is/was that tur-d Eric.
Frankelstein was a new account holder,opended recently, but im pretty sure it is/was that tur-d Eric.
Have to agree with the positve comments, it was very good chase debut. Two things that impressed me about his jumping, was his ability to fiddle when he got in close, a good sign that, and also when he quickened up he took a cut at the fences.
I'd like to see him line up in the Arkle, it would add to what is looking a great race. However we would be guessing at this stage, read the trainers comments in OJA.
I'd like to see him line up in the Arkle, it would add to what is looking a great race. However we would be guessing at this stage, read the trainers comments in OJA.
Be surprised if Cue Card proves good enough to win the Arkle in what looks a hot year.Thought he jumped ok so at least we know he can jump,but i am pretty sure their are better than him about.Certainly better hurdlers anyway,although they still have to prove they can jump a fence.
Personally think he will end up in the 20f race if he runs at the festival.He stays further and although that can help in an Arkle,as long as you stay 2m well then you can win an Arkle,and to me their are a few candidates that will stay 2m well,and are simply better animals than Cue Card.
Personally think he will end up in the 20f race if he runs at the festival.He stays further and although that can help in an Arkle,as long as you stay 2m well then you can win an Arkle,and to me their are a few candidates that will stay 2m well,and are simply better animals than Cue Card.
^^^ coming from a man who has his money on oscar whiskey to beat big bucks [smiley:crazy]
I was quite taken by that yesteerday, excellent opener, got himself out of trouble and has scope, i am not getting carried away and i think more promising horses are to emerge still, but he was good. I suspect he may want further but he is a gorgeous stamp of a horse, every inch a chaser. I think the Tizzards appear to believe his last couple of hurdle runs were not 'right'.
Only just had chance to watch the race. The race was run at a crawl for the most part so perhaps doesn't tell us much more than he seems a confident jumper and did little wrong. For me it's still too early to say where abouts he will figure until we've seen a few others jump.
Howdi,
Are you suggesting that cos i think Oscar could prove the toughest opponent yet to BB,that any other judgement i have is to be ignored??
I Just think that at around 12.s,OW is value and will be shorter by far should he turn up on the day,and with his class form its possible he could beat BB.
No certs in this game 6 months before a race.
Are you suggesting that cos i think Oscar could prove the toughest opponent yet to BB,that any other judgement i have is to be ignored??
I Just think that at around 12.s,OW is value and will be shorter by far should he turn up on the day,and with his class form its possible he could beat BB.
No certs in this game 6 months before a race.
in answer to the first question you raised YES
Pulling your leg my old son
Pulling your leg my old son
Tizzard issues Cue Card warning to Arkle punters
BY DAVID CARR racingpost.com
CUE CARD may have halved in price for the Arkle Chase after his winning debut over fences at Chepstow on Saturday, but punters were warned on Sunday to think twice about backing him.
The 2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner is quoted at odds as short as 10-1 by some firms, but trainer Colin Tizzard is far from convinced that his star will prove best at two mile.
"I wouldn't encourage anyone to back him for the Arkle yet because he might not run in that," said Tizzard.
"There is a two-and-a-half-mile novice and the RSA is only three - you can just see him going round there on the bridle, quickening up off the last bend and leaving them for dead.
"The few times we have stepped him up to two and a half, he has looked mighty impressive. There is an awful long way to go and I don't know what trip he really wants. He could be effective from two miles to three miles, but I can't see anypoint in going to three miles yet as he has so much pace."
Cue Card could get an early sight of the Cheltenham fences in a 2m novice chase at the Openmeeting next month.
Tizzard added: "He is a horse we like taking to Cheltenham so there is a distinct possibility that will be the one but it wouldn't hurt him to have a bit more match practice in little novice chases.
"No doubt we will wait for Cheltenham but if there was something a week before which was valuable we might have a look at it."
BY DAVID CARR racingpost.com
CUE CARD may have halved in price for the Arkle Chase after his winning debut over fences at Chepstow on Saturday, but punters were warned on Sunday to think twice about backing him.
The 2010 Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner is quoted at odds as short as 10-1 by some firms, but trainer Colin Tizzard is far from convinced that his star will prove best at two mile.
"I wouldn't encourage anyone to back him for the Arkle yet because he might not run in that," said Tizzard.
"There is a two-and-a-half-mile novice and the RSA is only three - you can just see him going round there on the bridle, quickening up off the last bend and leaving them for dead.
"The few times we have stepped him up to two and a half, he has looked mighty impressive. There is an awful long way to go and I don't know what trip he really wants. He could be effective from two miles to three miles, but I can't see anypoint in going to three miles yet as he has so much pace."
Cue Card could get an early sight of the Cheltenham fences in a 2m novice chase at the Openmeeting next month.
Tizzard added: "He is a horse we like taking to Cheltenham so there is a distinct possibility that will be the one but it wouldn't hurt him to have a bit more match practice in little novice chases.
"No doubt we will wait for Cheltenham but if there was something a week before which was valuable we might have a look at it."
The novice chase scene really looks like being one of the best for a fair few years this season
really hope they end up stepping him up in trip, it wasn't a strong pace on saturday but cc still leaves me with the impression that he has stamina on his side.....we've seen last year that against the real speedsters he's a little short, and besides that, although he jumped well enough first time i was left with a slight impression that he is going to be a little clumsy at one or two per race....so when they are really trapping , i would be worried.
Thought that was as good a debut as connections could have hoped for. Beat two decent horses comfortably, and looked like the further he went, the better. Agree with G1 Mac's comment about him being clever. Got in close a couple of times and didnt look as fluent a jumper as SC, yet it still didnt matter. Had a knack for getting over the obstacles without really doing himself any harm, even when not perfect at them.
I'll be very surprised if they go for the Arkle myself. I've always been a big AP backer, but its getting harder and harder now, especially in the novice chasing division, so I'll be leaving well alone.
Cant wait to see Spirit Son out.... could be some really good races amonst this lot this season.
I'll be very surprised if they go for the Arkle myself. I've always been a big AP backer, but its getting harder and harder now, especially in the novice chasing division, so I'll be leaving well alone.
Cant wait to see Spirit Son out.... could be some really good races amonst this lot this season.
spirit son is staying hurdling i thought...looking to take the champion hurdle route with him.
Arkle the correct race. You need one who gets further than the 2 and CC certainly will
Not if he aint good enough.Trainer seems to have his doubts.
And i aint into this having to stay further to win the Arkle,not saying it dont help but as long as a horse stays 2m well he should be ok.
After all it is a 2m race.
And i aint into this having to stay further to win the Arkle,not saying it dont help but as long as a horse stays 2m well he should be ok.
After all it is a 2m race.
Mind you FFT,i can see why you say that as a fair few winners of the race of late have stayed further.I just feel that as long as a horse truly stays 2m i would be ok in backing the horse as opposed to a horse that i know stays further but imo is not as quick.
Thats what i feel about Cue Card,not quick enough for 2m at the top level.
Thats what i feel about Cue Card,not quick enough for 2m at the top level.
neithers Oscar Whiskey and now they are sending him to clash with a legend. 
gotta laugh at the bookies
Cue Card beats an unfit horse
Cut from 20s to 10s
and trainer says may not go there.
Cue Card beats an unfit horse
Cut from 20s to 10s
and trainer says may not go there.
and in fact after reading tizzards comments i think he,l be aimed at the arkle,unless the horse tells him he needs further.
if he went and won the 2m at open meet i feel hed have to go arkle route
if he went and won the 2m at open meet i feel hed have to go arkle route
i wouldnt worry either,i aint backing him,so he can run where he likes.
I will say though,that if he lines up in the Arkle i will be very surprised.
I will say though,that if he lines up in the Arkle i will be very surprised.
Are they the type to stick their noses up at the new race? If not it woul dbe prefect for him.
and in fact after reading tizzards comments i think he,l be aimed at the arkle,unless the horse tells him he needs further.
he told us twice last season that he needs more than 2 miles....and i can see him being a bit clumsy at his fences....jumping at real pace in an arkle would worry me.....i love forthem to see if he could get the rsa trip personally.
he told us twice last season that he needs more than 2 miles....and i can see him being a bit clumsy at his fences....jumping at real pace in an arkle would worry me.....i love forthem to see if he could get the rsa trip personally.
Me also... although i think his jumping will stand the test at any distance... a hell of a lot better than First Lieutenant in my eyes.
buddeliea
10 Oct 11 18:45
Not if he aint good enough.Trainer seems to have his doubts.
And i aint into this having to stay further to win the Arkle,not saying it dont help but as long as a horse stays 2m well he should be ok.
After all it is a 2m race.
Totally agree. Some have proved they stay further than 2 miles, some haven't. To use that as a criteria seems flawed to me. Well Chief, Contraband, Voy Por Ustedes and Forpadydeplasterer were not proven to stay further than 2 miles before they won the Arkle. On the other hand, Tidal Bay, Captain Chris and My Way de Solzen were proven to stay further.
Going further back, Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer weren't proven at say 18/19f either. Where does this assumption come from?
10 Oct 11 18:45
Not if he aint good enough.Trainer seems to have his doubts.
And i aint into this having to stay further to win the Arkle,not saying it dont help but as long as a horse stays 2m well he should be ok.
After all it is a 2m race.
Totally agree. Some have proved they stay further than 2 miles, some haven't. To use that as a criteria seems flawed to me. Well Chief, Contraband, Voy Por Ustedes and Forpadydeplasterer were not proven to stay further than 2 miles before they won the Arkle. On the other hand, Tidal Bay, Captain Chris and My Way de Solzen were proven to stay further.
Going further back, Azertyuiop and Moscow Flyer weren't proven at say 18/19f either. Where does this assumption come from?
I think people can just be a bit quick to throw around comments without giving them too much thought. However, there is merit in it imo- the Arkle is run like no other novice chase throughout the season such is the blazing speed they will go off at. While the speedier types will have little problem with the pace there could be a question of whether there is anything left with 2 to jump, having been forced to cruise at a speed above what they have been cruising at in prior races. Combined with the undulations of the course taking an extra toll on stamina and the uphill finish, you need to be more than scraping to get the 2miles, a la Starluck.
All imo, of course.
All imo, of course.
To be proven at beyond 2 miles before the Arkle isn't really the point, it's that the horse must thoroughly stay the unique 2 miles of Cheltenham in order to win the race. This is seen in how so many Arkle runners/winners will end up stepping up in trip, unless truly exceptional- Moscow Flyer for instance.
True, but there seems to be a school of thought that says a horse must have won (or at least run a good race) over 18/19/20f in order to be a viable Arkle contender. It doesn't seem to be borne out by the facts, at least recently.
Sure it must "thoroughly stay" but that's the same in any big Festival race. A Gold Cup horse doesn't need to have proved itself over 3m 4/5/6f before people start to believe in it. Nor a Champion Hurdler over 2m 2/3/4f.
Just think the Arkle assumption is unfounded.
Sure it must "thoroughly stay" but that's the same in any big Festival race. A Gold Cup horse doesn't need to have proved itself over 3m 4/5/6f before people start to believe in it. Nor a Champion Hurdler over 2m 2/3/4f.
Just think the Arkle assumption is unfounded.
It works both ways. Some stayers win the Arkle, some speed horses win the Arkle
For me both Captaiin Chris and Tidal Bay are more stayers than speed ..
For me both Captaiin Chris and Tidal Bay are more stayers than speed ..
Apologies, I did mean Sprinter Sacre. Always get those two muddled up.
I know he is very,very exciting prospect etc, and THEY rate him highly, but 10/1 is taking the j1zz,imo.
Agreed I was hoping to back him earlier this year but was put off by the price. Now it potentially looks such a hot race I'm glad I haven't. As good as Sprinter Sacre might be either he's got to improve massively for fences or the likes of Peddlers & Menorah will have to regress for them
Yep 10's is a joke. I wont be backing AP much in the novice chasing division this year.
Especially not with Tizzard training him. He changed his mind about targets every few weeks last season.
no worries- as i said im a big fan.. hope to see him at cheltenham next month
Michael Phipps boosted the form today by winning at Ascot.
I would totally ignore connections they are loving all this hard to get crap. There is very likely to be a better horse this season at both Arkle and RSA trips thank god we can ignore these jokers as a result.
So far so good Cue Card fans...decent enough performance from Michael Phipps yesterday; fantastic jump at the last to buy himself a length when he needed it! I'll always take Ascot form with a pinch of salt, but was impressed enough to continue to believe Tizzard's lad could be something a bit special! :)
Watching that race it did'nt make me think i need to look at that race as a form guide for the Arkle thats for sure.
Cue Card to me looks a candidate for the 2 and half novice race at the festival if anything,but to be honest i think their will be a few classier than him this season.
Put it this way,if MFlips comes up against the likes of pCross,providing pc can jump i think he would get stuffed out of sight,certainly chalk and cheese over hurdles.
Cue Card to me looks a candidate for the 2 and half novice race at the festival if anything,but to be honest i think their will be a few classier than him this season.
Put it this way,if MFlips comes up against the likes of pCross,providing pc can jump i think he would get stuffed out of sight,certainly chalk and cheese over hurdles.
That's fair. I think you're right; impossible to read too much into yesterday's race and it was certainly no Arkle pointer, but that said Cue Card ran away from Michael Flipps in style suggesting he's a far superior animal, much in the same way Peddlers Cross is expected to be! It's encouraging at this stage.
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