BETFAIR ASCOT

CHASE(GRADE 1)

ASCOT SATURDAY

WHETHER or not Cue Card will stay well enough to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup is a subject for debate but no one doubts he can be lethal at up to three miles. He underlined the point yet again on Saturday, galloping right away to beat Shantou Flyer by 15 lengths in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase, making 4/9 look fairly generous.

The distance of two miles and five furlongs was perfect for him. Soon in close contention as eventual third Royal Regatta led and tried to stretch the field, he was in a challenging position four from home, led at the next and powered clear for Paddy Brennan to score in decisive fashion.

Connections had already decided that the Gold Cup rather than the Ryanair would be his target and he will have his supporters, though 6/1 quickly became 7/2 following the sad news of stable-companion Thistlecrack’s injury.

Cue Card is arguably the most popular chaser in training and, having just turned 11, there is every reason to give the Blue Riband one more go.

“He wasn’t right behind after his run in the King George,” Tizzard said. “He was brilliant again today and destroyed them. Paddy was the instigator of this. He said to come here because over two and a half miles plus they’d go a Cheltenham pace and he wouldn’t have to have three months off. If we won the Ryanair I’d be thinking for the rest of my life he should have gone for the Gold Cup so it’s not even an option.”

SUPERB FORM

Tizzard has been in such superb form that everything he says should be taken very seriously indeed. Interestingly, he stops short of saying that Cue Card was unlucky in the Gold Cup last year, as many have suggested.

In fact, he was being niggled along when Brennan drove him between horses to land in front, paying the price with an uncharacteristic fall. Many experts (though not the bookmakers) seem to believe that the extra distance is not an important factor, which is strange.

It was a long time before Cue Card demonstrated his ability over three miles and he again looked hugely impressive over the shorter trip last week.

At 6/1, the layers probably feel a stiff three and a quarter miles will find him out. However, with owner Jean Bishop 100% behind the decision to go for gold, there is no need for further argument.

Though outclassed, Shantou Flyer kept on well on Saturday and Rebecca Curtis reported he will take his chance in the National off 11 stone. The others were disappointing to a greater or lesser degree, though Royal Regatta was still plugging on gamely when a mistake two out took all the remaining puff out of him.