Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card is back in action at Newbury tomorrow and the trainer hopes he has put his error last time out behind him.
The five-year-old was cruising at Cheltenham two weeks’ ago when he dumped the trainer’s son Joe out of the saddle. It was the first error of its kind in the horse’s career so Tizzard senior is not too worried.
“To be fair to the horse he didn’t come down, they got racing going down the hill to the big open ditch and he dived at it and dropped Joe off and then bolted. He was only cruising at the time,” he said.
“We’d schooled him a lot before in the indoor school but we’ve been able to get out on the grass more since and we’ve had two or three sessions. Honestly he’s a good jumper.
“It was a novices’ fall and Friday it’s only a four-runner race on a lovely flat track. We have to give seven pounds to some serious horses but we think he’s a chaser and we’ll carry on as we are.”
Cue Card does face some stiff competition in the Fuller’s London Pride Novices’ Chase (13.35) tomorrow.
The in-form Nicky Henderson yard runs Bobs Worth and Spirit River, both of whom, like Cue Card, have Cheltenham successes under their belt and the fourth entrant tomorrow, Mad Moose, is far from a no hoper.
And as for tactics, Tizzard senior is not too bothered.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe didn’t jump him out in front. We’ve always been at pains to hold him up but it’s a four-horse race and we have the experience. I’m not worried about how he’s ridden though, I don’t think there’s a right and wrong way,” the trainer said.
We will know that for sure by this time tomorrow.
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