Turf Talk: Cue Card on course for Wetherby reappearance

Cue Card is on course to make his seasonal reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on October 29.
Cue Card ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan on the way to winning the Betfred Bowl Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival at Aintree in April.Cue Card ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan on the way to winning the Betfred Bowl Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival at Aintree in April.
Cue Card ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan on the way to winning the Betfred Bowl Chase during the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival at Aintree in April.

Victory in the West Yorkshire showpiece last autumn ignited a tremendous campaign for Colin Tizzard’s stable stalwart, with the 10-year-old going on to land the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the King George VI Chase at Kempton before a costly fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He bounced back to win at Aintree before suffering defeat at Punchestown and is reported in rude health following a summer break.

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“Cue Card is fine and having brought him back in early last year, we thought we’d do the same this year, so he came back on July 1,” said Tizzard.

“He’s cantering now and will do that for six weeks or so. He’s also getting two or three hours out in the paddock every day.

He’s a 10-year-old now, so we want to look after him and if we do that hopefully we can have him in the same form as he was last season. We’ll be sticking to the same plan, hopefully starting off at Wetherby again.”

l Dual Group One-winning sprinter Kingsgate Native could have his swansong in the ebfstallions.com Conditions Stakes at Nottingham tonight. Trainer Robert Cowell said the 11-year-old is likely to be retired if he convincingly fails to win the five-furlong dash on what will be his 59th career start.

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The Newmarket handler said: “Kingsgate Native’s run at Nottingham on Tuesday is going to be his final race unless he bolts up. He seems in good form but he has been going a long time. He has given us some great days and has been a great servant for us.”

After winning the 2007 Nunthorpe Stakes at York as a maiden, when trained by John Best, the son of Mujadil captured his second, and only other top-level success the following June when successful in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

BEVERLEY: 2.00 Mama Africa, 2.30 Total Star (next best), 3.00 Kiwi Bay, 3.30 Intiwin, 4.00 San Cassiano, 4.30 Space Mountain (treble), 5.00 First Bombardment, 5.35 Bond Bombshell.

SALISBURY: 2.20 Beck And Call, 2.50 Jaywalker, 3.20 Takatul, 3.50 SHARJA QUEEN (NAP), 4.20 Master Gunner, 4.50 Remember Me.

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KEMPTON: 6.10 Jumping Jack, 6.40 Dubara, 7.10 Northern Thunder, 7.40 Showreel, 8.10 Personal Touch, 8.40 Sunscape, 9.10 Gracesome.

BATH: 5.20 See Vermont, 5.50 Blue Suede, 6.20 Equistar, 6.50 Go On Go On Go On, 7.20 Lily Trotter, 7.50 Toga Tiger, 8.20 Forecaster.

NEWTON ABBOT: 2.10 Excellent Team, 2.40 Recognition, 3.10 Winning Ticket, 3.40 Devon General, 4.10 Instant Karma, 4.40 Accessallareas, 5.10 Buggi.

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