Cue Card

Time will tell I guess...

If he continues to pull double in his races then he'll go for the Arkle; if he learns to settle into an early stride I think he'll stay the RSA.

Think he will end up in the 2 and half m novice.

Looking at the entry tomorrow I think they might be leaning towards the RSA; I know its a long while off but this years could be the best ever

2 and half m tomorrow Bluebird

Cant believe Grand Crus is fav tomorrow!

I'm thinking the same.

Yes Cue Card looks a good bet tomorrow. Too much speed for Grands Crus.

cc fav on here-just!

Looks a cracking race tomorrow - Dualla Lord (won 4 points) and Champion Court no slouches either.

^ It really is a cracker isn't it?

My head is exploding - Cue Card, Grand Crus and Champion Court are all horses I love. It's a very interesting race from a punting perspective, too. With the benefit of a run, and his speed, you'd think Cue Card should be favourite, but GC is an absolute monster. Let's not forget how he tanks through all his races. He is not short on speed, at all, and if he is fit and ready to rock first time I would not be at all surprised to see him prove too good.

It's a real dilemma because Pipe's horses are usually fitter than others first up, but I'm sure connections will be leaving something to work on with this machine and doubt very much they would be disappointed with a solid run behind a very good horse on his fencing debut at Cheltenham.

What to do?!

well personally i wont be betting,just watching with interest,not a betting race for me.
As for you,back the one you think will win,if yer aint sure,dont bet,the prices aint gonna be that good on the top 2.Champion Court is a working mans price,but he has 2 pretty good animals to beat.

i can't believe grand crus isnt hot fav joint fav with cue!!!!

maaybe its becoz cue card had a run over fences and grand crus hasnt howdi? rocket science this!

^^^ have yopu seen their official marks and i can do without patronising.

Quite apart from that, potentially how could good could the Crack Away Jack race be?? Bunch of decent, seasoned h'cappers against a potential good'un.....

Cue Card should be odds on. Could not believe VC opened up at 2's yesterday. Boots filled. Grand Crus is only chasing because Big Bucks isn't.

brave man.......or foolish??

hmmm...

At least they can put him in the coral cup with a 10lb claimer onboard.

CC never settled today. Was keen and sketchy before making a horlicks of one and unseating Joe. It might be best to let him front run rather than trying to restrain him because he clearly has an engine. Tizzard stable not in the best of form right now, either.

Front run over 2m and let him off imo - no point pullin himself to death over 2m4

Informative race. I was impressed after CC's fencing debut at Chepstow, but you have to be disapointed after that display. Just watched again, and prior to unseating he made a slight mistake at the previous fence, he just seems to get very close to his fences. The pace wasn't great so maybe he does need to aproach them at topspeed, comment above would seem appropriate.

On the other hand, Grand Crus looked a natural to me, reached for one but other than that was looking out for the next one. He needs further mind you, as does Zaynar who ran well with his cheekpieces. Champion Court is not top class, and looks a handicapper.

for get who won....i made my point yesterday

grand crus rated around 17ibs superior over hurdles
cue card carryig penalty of 5lbs

yes cue had a run under his belt but why was cue ever favourite!

bjg...totally agree.pulled his head off and unsettled today..if ever ive seen a chaser who needs to be set alight from the front,and jump well,its cue card.
surely they will go 2m now?

cant see him winning this seasons Arkle,dont think hes good enough.still think he will end up in the 2 and half novice.

Didn't settle today. Not Tizzard's fault....he asked him up at an open ditch and the horse put down......but if I owned the horse, I'd move stables. Joe wins plenty of races at the gaff tracks and wins some at the major venues on outsiders. He tends to win at the top tracks only when there is no expectation of success and I suspect his tension feeds through to the fancied horses he rides at these venues.

After that, Grand Crus might go for the Arkle - showed a lot of speed.

hes a 3 miler Stront,surely cannot beat this years Arkle lot.
RSA no doubt in my mind at all.

Not necessarily. he has stamina, which you need to win the Arkle, and speed. I suspect you're right he'll end up in the RSA but it makes an ante-post bet tough - they may not choose until March 12th and it might depend on what else turns up.

I don't think the fact he hurdled over 3m is particularly relavent. That just means they knew he wouldn't win a Champion Hurdle. And it has been done - My Way de Solzen won a World Hurdle and an Arkle.

i think its relevant in that connections think his best trip over hurdles was 3m.Does that mean he will be a 3m chaser,yes,in my view,although i do take your points re MWDS,and were it a weak year they may have been tempted by the Arkle,but this seasons Arkle looks far from that.
I think they will do the same over fences as they did over hurdles and run him at the trip they think gives him the best chance of winning races,and imo thats 3m.
If you fancy an RSA bet and you like the price then i would go for it.

That was nearly as painful as the Supreme Novices! :(

So frustrating because the problem is clear...he can't jump under restrain! It reminds me on Finians Rainbow last season; left to jump at his own pace he looked superb, when he was held up under restrain at Warwick he was appalling! He HAS to go for the Arkle, and he HAS to be allowed to bowl along in front! Yeah he might empty the tank, but what's the alternative!? He'll fail anyway if they keep doing what they're doing!

I tend to agree front running is worth a try but really you're grasping at straws and as he repeatedly runs with the choke out the chances are he'd be picked off at the end. The two mile novice division looks the best for years and I don't see this horse featuring in the Arkle at all. Watching Grands Crus alongside yesterday was like looking at chalk and cheese. Cue Card doesn't look a natural jumper of fences and has an awkward head carriage. If they stick to fences they need to get somebody in to work on him. His hurdling technique looked great but returning to that sphere doesn't seem to be an option as he's rated on what he didn't achieve.

Budd, I take your points and, like I said, I think Grand Crus will end up in the RSA - so basically we agree. From something Tom Scu said in interview they clearly view him as a future Gold Cup horse. They must rate him very highly to have him entered in the open age 3 m Grade 1 at Haydock next Sat.

However, I don't think his connections are, or should be, afraid of anything else in the Arkle or RSA. GC's form with Big Buck's is at least as good as anything likley to come out of the Champion Hurdle imo, and his run yesterday is among the best (if not the best) from a novice chaser this season. So if they think he's good/fast enough to win an Arkle they might go that route.

Front running cue card won't cure his problem he's free and while letting him bowl along solves the wasted energy in fighting him part of things....his real problem is that all that flinging his head around is stopping him concentrating....he fell yesterday because basically he wasn't watching what he was doing....bowling along in front he will still be free and throwing his head about....i was a big fan of his last year but it's clear now that he's got this problem and whilst he can still run all over inferior opposition ....when he comes up against something that can pile the pressure on late in a race , he falls in a hole.

Conversely another big positive sign from the race yesterday was how well grands crus seems to have learned to settle.As for which race, it has to be the rsa for me, he looks like a big lolloping stayer...not a speed horse.

Grand Crus will be stepped up in trip on his next start. I take your point about needing stamina for an Arkle, you always nearly do, but I cant be having GC for the Arkle at all tbh. There'll certainly be one or two more with more pace than him.

I'm not giving up on Cue Card; I still maintain he's the most natural racehorse I've seen in years and im convinced he'll prove himself a class act in time.

ive seen more natural jumpers in the last few days

Yeah true, but not all horses take to it straight away! Long Run's jumping is flawed & Kauto Star's jumping in his early career was at best average...!

Tizzard


Drop back to 2m and front run tar

"as he repeatedly runs with the choke out the chances are he'd be picked off at the end." Well whaddayaknow. However, Joke Tizzard crapping himself up the home straight didn't help.

Horrible horrible jockey - lookin behind him wen all he had to do was kick on!

tizzard wasn't great alright but i think it was a good example of CC not finding as much as would appear off the bridle....i hadn't been entirely sure about it before tbh...i thought he stuck on well enough in the bula last year for example but it was clearer today....he did it all very easily until he was put under the cosh......at any distance he will have the same problem....unless of course he could run in the arkle and the way he travels will allow him to get about 15 clear on the bridle before he has to do anything!!!!!!

Still think the 2 and half nov chase is the race for him at the festival.That was pretty good today,probably would have won if ridden slightly differently at the end of the race.
Thats his distance i feel and tactics from the front helped i feel.

Agree with BJG - I have never seen any evidence that Cue Card wants to go further than 2m.

His best ever run was behind Menorah in the Bula and I am certain Tizzard screwed him up by overtraining him early last season and again after a break before the Spring festivals. Don't think he was at his best at Cheltenham or Aintree but again, think he ran better in the Supreme than against Spirit Son at Liverpool.

He may well have the same problem in that he doesn't find what you would hope, but I think his exuberance and raw speed would give him a better chance of making an impact over the minimum trip, especially if blasting from the front. Shame he's in a graduating 2m novice class that is so deep this season though!

One last thing - a lot of people crab the horse and while I am the first to admit making excuses for hype horses when they continually get beaten is often a fast track to the poor house, let's not forget he gave a serious animal 7lb today and was without doubt the moral winner. Am loathe to criticise jocks on most occasions, but if he'd had a decent one on top he would have won comfortably today. Either way, it was a very smart performance.

And that was over a distance that i think is ideal for him,and to be fair Tom your last paragraph seems to agree with that.

Got to be the Arkle for me. He's got so much natural speed that it seems a no brainer. I dont think he's short of stamina, but he'd need that anyway and itys definitely not his main attribute.

Agree it was a decent run today and I'm still p1ssed off with Tizzard. I disagree with those who say he didnt find much as I thought he went to stay on again with Bobs when he got level with him.

I think the horse could get further, just that this wouldnt play to his strengths. He'd also settle much betetr in a fast race.

A really good run today considering the 7lb penalty and the difference in class between the two jockeys. Should be aimed at the Arkle imo but I have little doubt Tizzard (senoir and junior) will make a mess of his campaign so wouldn't be backing him for anything at Cheltenham right now.

How can it be a no brainer when he has just produced a run like that over 2 and a half? To me hes showing all the signs of a horse that needs further than 2m,definitely did today.
Yes its possible he will be better over 2 but not for me.
And anyway i cannot see him beating PC or AF,and i suspect that his connections cannot either.He is being campaigned over 2 and half,and i fully expect that to continue after todays fine run,like has been said he really should have won today,and he werent stopping.

I can see Cue card ending up in the 2 1/2miler Grade 2 at Cheltenham. I agree with you Bud, cant see him beating Peddlers/al ferof/menorah/sacre.

The Arkle is going to be a vintage year. Whoever wins that should win the Queen mother the following year.

got to be given his head over 2m...if tizzard senior is brave enough.its so obvious!
that was a shocker from joe today

You seem to be suggesting the sort of round One Man put in to win the QM. Cue Card's not a good enough jumper. He'd end up on the floor.

Its just my opinion Budd. Obviously we are all entitled to our own.

That was 2m4f on a flat track today and it certainly wasnt a fast pace or a massive test. I think we'd all agree CC would have no chance in the RSA, and I still think he wouldnt stay well enough for the 2m4f race at the festival as there will be plenty of better stayers in that too.

Granted its potentially the toughest Arkle for years and that could sway them against it. I was just talking about the race that I think would suit him best at the Festival.

Budd. Why do you think he is showing all the hallmarks of a horse that wants futher? I think the faster the pace the better for him personally.

tizzard messed up but the horse had enough time once put under pressure to go on and win....when you put into context how well he was going beforehand you have to be disappointed with the finishing effort.....on the plus side which i'm not sure has been mentioned yet is the fact that he settled far far better than previously and with no head flinging jumped very well too.....you're inclined to think the arkle but i'm not so sure...because today he showed the hallmark of a horse with a high cruising speed as we know already but not one that can pick up and change gear at the end of the race....in the arkle he'll look good for 3/4 of the race and then get left behind....bit like last years supreme....and the bula too.

I love these genuine enigmas in racing! I agree with most of what you say, duffy, but just think the fences will help him more than hurdles in terms of not being left behind at the finish.

I am convinced he was not at his best in the Supreme last year and for that reason I would not take it as gospel that he doesn't have the speed required. It seems to me that everyone has assumed he lacks the toe to compete with the best at the minimum trip but I'm not sure that's true - to me he used too much energy in the Supreme and was a tired horse turning for home. I thought he was beaten through lack of energy rather than speed (Al Ferof and Spirit Son couldn't live with him and Sprinter as they sped down the hill).

He is settling better now (it seems) and I think he's a good enough jumper to blast out and see what the opposition makes of it. Stick him over two miles and let's just see! I suppose all this conjecture is potentially academic if Joe keeps the ride (which I'm sure he will). For those who feel he is being unfairly criticised, watch how Finian's Rainbow jumped in the Arkle (and at Newbury) with Geraghty on top and then compare it to how he fenced around Warwick with a less gifted pilot taking the reins. Novice chases are the events where the cream of the riding crop really rises to the top.

CCM,
watching the horse mate.
Yesterday he led all the way and was not stopping at the end,just got done on the line by a 3miler who will imo prove to be top notch.Added to that that CC really should have won that race had he been ridden differently at the end.
He now has 2 good runs behind him at the distance,that does not suggest he aint a horse that needs further than 2m,far from it.He can set his own pace up front,and hes just proved he can do that and still stay 2 and half well.

To be honest i really dont think he will be good enough over 2m,and he wont get 3m.
Its clear to me,and it seems his connections think the same.
I would agree though that it would be interesting for us to see him over 2m,but it dont seem likely at the moment.

Completely agree with Budd, ive gone from a hater to relative lover of this horse over 2m4 chases. He could have won on the bridle today if Joe had kicked on a couple out I dont see how 2m would favour him when you HAVE to find a lot off the bridle in a 2m championship race. His cruising speed is frightening and his jumping is improving. Im sur they will try 3m in time but not this year.

He seems an enigma to me. I agree with you all he was given a poor ride but he had a big advantage on Friday in both experience and race fitness. However he was outstayed by a horse who needed every yard of the trip (and who I think is a serious prospect over 3 m+). In conclusion, Cue Card might be another one without a trip (Somersby, ForPady..). At the top level, he doesn't have the speed for 2 m and doesn't have the stamina for 2 1/2+.

I hate to say this, but i didn't think it was a poor ride..

The horse jumped well and he just went to pop him at the last..

He went for everything on the run in but Geraghty's horse found plenty..

You have to remember he was giving the other horse who is classy plenty of weight..

The horse itself looks like he just found the same pace to me...

Maybe it wasn't a poor ride - I have very little faith in Tizzard (who seems to be in some sort of personal battle with Scudamore...)

CC only gave 7 lb to BW - which his extra race fitness and experience should have accommodated if he was top class.

Don't get me wrong Stront....

Joe Hazard isn't a jockey... but on this occasion he gave the horse a satisfactory ride for me anyway..

He only looked round so's to give the horse the easiest race possible..as do they all..

Time will tell as to whether he got beat by a high class horse, i'd say Bob's worth is, and if you look at the way Bob's Worth stuck his neck out he really wanted it..very game...although I didn't think Cue card flinched himself, he just couldn't quicken..

Goin for the Arkle

Well that would not surprise me,although personally i think he has a better chance in the Jewson unless its soft ground.Looks a 2 and half miler to me.
They could well keep their options open till nearer the day.

They would all have a better chance in the Jewson though Bud! The Arkle is the Arkle and given the way he travelled today, without jumping well in the main, you would have to say he has the class to be competitive in the Arkle. That race should've been more informative as in theory it should've given us lines on PC and Alf, but with Minella Class tipping up, we didn't get that. To my eye, CC beat FNS more comprehensively than Alf did, with that ones stamina getting him as close as it did nearer the line.
Iron out his jumping and he'll have them all at it turning for home in the Arkle and from there........

They would indeed have a better chance!!

FNS jumped a lot better at Sandown,and if he had jumped the last few as he did at Sandown we could have a better picture.To me had he done that he and Cue Card would have been very close.
Its all about jumping though,and in an Arkle even more so.In that respect SS and AF are a fair way better at this stage.

Agreed, it would be very hard to oppose SS. As for Alf, his jumping is so economical, that its hard to see much improvement coming there. If I knew that Cue Card was going to put in a tidier round, I would have him every day. I think a faster pace might help, the horse seems to be in two minds at every fence and is not getting much help from up top. I see him as a more likely challenger to SS.

Very surprised if CC gets round Cheltenham

Did well to win considering how he jumped. I think a fast 2m will be the best option for the horse, but dont think he is a good enough jumper to win any race at the Festival.

Dont see him as a more likely challenger at all to be honest,as you say his jumping is untidy.
Yes,you could back him hoping for a tidier round,but AF has shown hes fine with his jumping,and as he stays well also that imo makes him a big player,and more likely to win an Arkle.He also has speed enough to win a supreme hurdle on decent ground.
Its all summising though!!

Yeah, Alf looks more complete right now Budd, no doubt. But I get the feeling that there might be more to come from Cue Card, whereas Alf has shown his hand and on what we've seen he wouldn't have enough to beat SS. It's all about potential, I suppose..............or maybe blind faith, I've been a big fan for quite some time!!!

He didn't look like falling today SJ and Newburys fences are pretty stiff. It's just that he is a bit slow at them. I think he would get rounf Cheltenham OK, the worry is that he would losee momentum and have too much to do at the business end.

Well its possible theres more to come from all of them Des as they are still young chasers learning the game.
its all about what happens on the day,and if CC were to bowl along jumping well hes a danger for sure.Personally i just feel the way he jumps the Jewson would suit better,but keep the faith mate,i mean what do i know??

Funnily enough I was speaking to a mate earlier today and said that if he didn't win I was going to have to draw stumps on him, he was my biggest bet of last years festival and has cost me enough. Todays win will likely enough end up costing me quite a bit more, thank fook for SS though, otherwise my bets would be a lot lumpier between now and March!!!

I think he's at his best when having it his own way. If something goes off at a stupid pace in the Arkle then I dont think his jumping will hold up

CC was conceding 7lb to FNS, Al Ferof raced off levels.

CC reminds me of Tidal Bay.

The best I have seen CC jump this season was on his chase debut at Chepstow when he took a cut at his fences, he looked a natural when he did this. He just hasn't done the same since, for whatever reason. I thought the jockey today yanked at his head a few times when approaching the fences, which I don't think CC likes.

If he runs in the Arkle, the only way I can see him do well, is if the jockey rides him into the fences with confidence. If he doesn't he will lose ground.

was just going to mention Tidal Bay - he could n't jump either allegedly before dotting up by 13 lengths in the Arkle.

Don't think CC jumped well today but neither did Walkon or FNS - don't think as novices they would have been asked to jump fences out of such deep ground before.

^ Good point - this is how I read it to be honest.

Thought most of them jumped well for much of the race, if a bit carefully at some, before the mistakes kicked in at the business end, which I think is excusable given the sticky underfoot conditions.

To be honest, I think Cue Card will jump fine in the Arkle. I think, as others have mentioned, like Tidal Bay and also Finian's Rainbow to an extent, that he will be better when he goes quicker and has a cut at his fences. I think he makes a good form over his fences and think he is a definite player in the Arkle (although my gut tells me they are probably playing for place money behind Sprinter Sacre).

he won't win the arkle but id be interested in the jewson

Cue Card deserves to take his chance in the Arkle. He has to eliminate the jumping errors evidenced in his last 3 runs to stand a chance of winning and even he achieves that, he is probably not good enough to beat Al Ferof or Sprinter Sacre if they too put in error free rounds.

Sint,
i would be careful comparing the 2 FNS runs if i were you.
At sandown he jumped much better in decent ground,yesterday on soft ground he made errors.
2 races on totally different ground.

If you compare CC and AF,they have only ran against each other once and that was in the supreme,which AF won going away.
But thats hurdles and this is fences,but then AF jumps better anyway.

oops! forgot the bumper.Sorry Cue Card!!

Colin Tizzard plans to give Cue Card one more outing before having a tilt at the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

The high-class hurdler recorded his second victory from four starts over fences with an impressive performance at Newbury on Saturday, beating exciting novices For Non Stop and Walkon comfortably.

The six-year-old has been competing over longer distances so far this season, but Tizzard plans to bring his charge back to two miles for one of the hottest Arkles in recent memory.

"He's come out of the race absolutely fine and I was delighted with him," said Tizzard.

"I thought he ran a very similar race to how he ran at Newbury the time before. He got touched off last time and this time he won.

"He'll be coming back to the minimum trip now and the Arkle looks the race to target with him. They'll go flat out, so it will be almost like a two-and-a-half-mile race anyway.

"I haven't a clue where he'll run next. I'd imagine he'll just have one more run before Cheltenham and it will be around the end of January, start of February.

"That will mean he'll have had five runs over fences before Cheltenham, which should be enough experience for him."

Beat you to one BJG

Cue Card is set to miss Friday's Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury.

The six-year-old was due to have his final prep run for the Arkle in the rescheduled Grade Two heat, which is better known as the Game Spirit Chase.

However, jockey Joe Tizzard tweeted: "Cue Card misses Friday's Game Spirit Chase."

Tizzard's father Colin, who trains the 2010 Champion Bumper winner, explained that a minor setback meant he would now head to Cheltenham without another run.

"He's just got a slight knock on his fetlock joint," said Tizzard.

"We thought we'd better let people know with the ante-post betting and everything.

"If the race was next week we'd be fine and there wouldn't have even been a need to mention it, but it's just going to stop him running this week.

"He'll be fine in a few days but we'll have to go straight to Cheltenham now - it was this or nothing."



Not ideal for his followers

Hopefully he's fine. Can't help but think he has a part to play in the Arkle - a race that we may see cut up already.

I honestly think this wins the Arkle. I think it has the experience over jumps and at the track and the perfect mix of speed and stamina. I foresee an 'Albertas Run', getting in front, keeping an honest gallop, getting in a breather before outstaying them all up the hill.

Can possibly see it but worried about the amount of early pace in the race. Potential front runners/ prominent racers include Menorah, Cue Card, Kid Cassidy, sanctuaire (if he fails to settle like last time)and Zaynar (if runs), even Peddlers will surely be up there. Could see this race suited to a hold up horse or at the very least a horse who will sit off the front 4 or 5. Trying to find that horse is a little more difficult but the fav could fit the bill or one at a more interesting price could be Blackstairs who should relish the ground and could creep into contention and play his hand late

Cue card is great value.
Al ferof main danger

Cue card is great value.
Al ferof main danger

Like the horse dont rate the jockey, big disadvantage at the festival.

Quite pleased to see him skipping a potentially hard race now tbh and just hoping all is well again soon. Think he's had enough match practice now for the Arkle anyway

form franked by FNS

CUE CARD'S jockey Joe Tizzard has promised to make the Racing Post Arkle Chase a "true test" as he attempts to exploit any potential weakness in red-hot favourite Sprinter Sacre.

Trained by Colin Tizzard for Bob and Jean Bishop, Cue Card is the 9-1 fourth favourite for the Racing Post Arkle in a market dominated by even-money favourite Sprinter Sacre, who is unbeaten in two starts over fences.


However, questionsremain about Sprinter Sacre's ability to stay on strongly up the Cheltenham hill following his third, one place ahead of Cue Card, in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle although he did have a wind operation during the summer.

Tizzardsaid: "You couldn't not be impressed by Sprinter Sacre and what he has done but I enjoy riding Cue Card from the front and know he gets two and a half, he's proved that, so I'll make it a true test.

"He's growing all the time. When he won his bumper at Cheltenham he was just a shell of a horse. He looks fantastic at the moment and I rode him out yesterday morning and he's in superb form. At home he's been a beautiful jumper and his last twice he's been spot on."

Cue Card heads to the Racing Post Arkle having not run since winning on New Year's Eve at Newbury after missing the Game Spirit Chase with a knocked joint, but Tizzard said there was nothing to worry about over that blip.

Speaking on the Morning Line, Tizzard added: "It was nothing. He knocked the inside of his fetlock and it was gone the Wednesday before the Friday race but we couldn't run him on what he was like on the Monday and Tuesday. But he's over it and is absolutely fine."

As an Al Ferof backer i like the sound of that.

SS connections will be very happy to be given a lead for the first 3/4 of the race too....assuming CC jumps well emough.

I think he'll be hard to get past if he's given a soft lead - for all Sprinter Sacre is impressive he's yet to prove he's got the guts for a fight (not suggesting he hasn't, just yet to prove it!) whereas Cue Card is a little bit more savvy for me, more experience and if not winning the race could put paid to Sprinter Sacre's chance if he draws him into a row!

Agree this is great news if you've backed Al Ferof or Peddlers Cross!

^or SS cruises past an all-out Cue Card at a hack canter

Seriously though, this has to be good news for Peddlers and Al Ferof as proven stayers.

Hopefully it was a bit of a bluff by JT. Like dwm I actually hope it leads but at a moderate pace.

If he goes flat out it will help SS settle and certainly make it the race both AF and PC want

front running in the Arkle has rarely if ever proved a successful tactic over many years and I will be laying Cue Card in play - well that's the plan but there is always the chance that the price never shortens if he doesn't jump that well or if Geraghty is lobbing along effortlessly a couple of lengths behind

the faster they go early the better for me

Great news. A proper stamina test will mean no excuses. I think it's Cue Card's best chance but it's a slim chance and they'll be queuing up behind coming down the hill. Tizzard better take a mirror with him. Will definitely help Al Ferof and Peddler's Cross.