PUNCHESTOWN is set to hold one of the races of the decade on Wednesday when the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup may see the three top chasers in competition as Cue Card and Don Cossack are set to line up for the third time this season and Vautour still a possible runner.
CUE CARD
10yo b g King’s Theatre - Wicked Crack
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Owner: Mrs Jean R Bishop
Form: /15112/312/4452-4111F1
Highest Official Rating: 176
Winnings: €1,376,757
Cue Card is the most popular jumping star in Britain and is unbeaten in his completed starts this season.
He won the Betfair Chase, King George and Betfred Bowl during a stellar season but the Cheltenham Gold Cup - and a £1 million bonus - eluded connections when the horse fell at the third-last fence at Cheltenham in March.
He had just moved into contention upsides Don Cossack and Djakadam when he put in an extra stride and fell leaving rider Paddy Brennan distraught. He went on to gain compensation at Aintree when beating Don Poli and Djakadam in the Betfair Bowl, by nine lengths and six lengths. Don Cossack had beaten the pair four and a half lengths and 10 lengths in reverse order in the Gold Cup.
After the Aintree win Paddy Brennan expressed confidence that Cue Card would come out on top in his third meeting of the season with Don Cossack.
The Colin Tizzard-trained 10-year-old had only finished fourth to Don Cossack in this race last year but after an operation on a trapped epigottis is a much improved horse this season.
“I’m more than happy with the horse and he’s never shied away from anything,” assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said. “The Punchestown Gold Cup could be a serious race and take nothing away from Don Cossack and Vautour, who have both stood up to everything.
“We’ll find out who the best is at Punchestown. I think he would have won the Gold Cup.”
DON COSSACK
9yo br g Sholokhov - Depeche Toi
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
Form: /1212F2/4111131-111F11
Highest Official Rating: 175
Winnings: €1,163288
Don Cossack finally justified Gordon Elliott’s high regard and landed the biggest prize of all when he won the Gold Cup in March. Given a positive ride, he strode clear from the second last and stayed on strongly.
He had just begun to get back into the race in the King George when he departed at the second-last in the King George when moving in contention, a race Cue Card won from Don Cossack.
He ran out an impressive winner of this race last year having also raced at Cheltenham and Aintree. This year he comes having swerved Aintree. Stamina is his strong suit and no doubt Bryan Cooper will make the most use of it. He looks at the peak of his powers and will take all the beating on his home ground.
VAUTOUR
7yo b g Robin Des Champs - Gazelle De Mai
Trainer: W P Mullins Owner: Mrs S Ricci
Form: 22/1111/11211-121F
Highest Official Rating: 176
Winnings: €728,444
Vautour had been a big fancy for the Gold Cup but was switched to the Ryanair Chase where he produced another dominant performance
He was sent off at 1/5 for the Melling Chase at Aintree and crashed out at the ninth when travelling well.
He had led at the last and looked the likely winner of the King George before being overhauled by Cue Card in the final furlong.
He has yet to win over three miles but looked hugely impressive in his two Cheltenham Festival wins over shorter and would be an intriguing runner if given the go ahead. He missed the festival in 2015 and was switched to an easier target in his novice hurdle season.
LATEST BETTING
6/4 Don Cossack, 2/1 Cue Card, 9/2 Vautour