The Arkle Challenge Trophy - Tuesday 13th March

TIZZARD: I'll Make Arkle True Test

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 three starts over fences.


However, questions remain 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.

Tizzard said: "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."

 

Joe Tizzard goes off like a scalded cat, terrible mistake within 3 fences, and Cue Card finished well beaten, if at all - 1/3 shot.

Ideal as far as I'm concerned because I'd like a strong pace for Peddlers.

 

A strong pace will suit the favourite as well in helping him settle.Connections of Al Ferof will also be pleased at JT's tactical masterplan.

Good for the race if it is run at a good pace.I can't remember an Arkle that wasn't...Anyone remember a slow tactical Arkle Trophy race?

 

Am I hearing this rubbish right, so Joe Tizzard thinks setting a good gallop is going to trouble Sprinter Sacre. In last years Supreme Cue Card and Sprinter Sacre took each other on out infront, yet Sprinter Sacre outstayed Cue Card up the hill. So I realy don't know what JT has been taking, but I'd love to try some of it.*

Going a good gallop just plays into SSs hands, as the only chink in his armour is that he pulls, so going a good gallop should prevent that.*

I can just see it now Cue Card ridden along infront with Plodding Cross just behind him, with Maguire shuveling along aswell, and then the beast Sprinter Sacre tanking along in behind. Geraghty hasnt even moved yet, he releases half an inch of reign, and SS eases alongside Cue Card and Plodding Cross. Geraghty releases another half inch, and SS starts pulling further and further clear to win the race without even coming out of 3rd gear. Al Ferof battles on bravely for 2nd up the hill, but he's no match for the most exciting 2 miler since the days of the great Flyingbolt.

1st Sprinter Sacre on the bridle, by 15 lenghs*
2nd Al Ferof
3rd Cue Card

*

 

I admire your confidence KS.

I do agree that too much stock is being placed on the stamina issue..especially on the old course.

Cheltenham is 12f round and the last 4 odd furlongs is downhill before they turn in.

Peddlers cross is a classy horse but is being calibrated solely on his hurdle form by some...like Grand crus.

How many would back him on his chase form?..that was let down today and he was hammered on his only graded attempt over birch.

If he wasn't last years CH second,no one could argue his fence form adds up...Fact.

One supposes if you tell yourself something that isn't true you start to believe it...

Anyhow back to the cricket...looks a slow pitch at the SCG,little being scored behind square...hope my total runs spread adds up...going low.

 

That's it in a nutshell.

 

I've just watched the replay of Sprinter Sacre's Newbury romp, and I must admit you'd have to have a loose bolt in your neck not to be impressed by that!
I was considering a good each way bet on Cue Card- but not now! Also, the shortness of ante-post prices for The Arkle are 'taking the Michael.'
The one downside- and it is a definite- is Cheltenham. The greatest horses in the world win there- but they also lose there. One bad mistake can finish a horse; two bad ones and you need a jockey "from above" to win.
I relish the prospect of watching The Arkle. It should be quite a treat!

 

What an enjoyable read this thread is!

King Shergar, your confidence is OTT! I wish i could have so much confidence in a selection in such a competivie event

For what its worth, i am slightly favouring Cue Card at the prices. Giving FNS weight and a drubbing compared to AF scraping home by a neck to the same horse on levels leads me to think CC has a great chance of at least getting a place (even though CC's race was over further!)

Another bit of decent form was the defeat to Bobs Worth, given a poor ride imo by JT and giving him weight i thought was a decent effort (again this was over fruther byt i think 2m suits better anyhoo)

Great thread by the way

 

I'd agree with you there Smokin Beau. This has been a belter of a thread. A lot of the Cheltenham ones seem to have had legs and decent chat throughout.

 

Quite a big statement there I'd say.

 

I know what you're saying DP, but he has looked special. He just has to answer the questions at Cheltenham. If he does that, it will be hard to argue. Only concern is undulations- hopefully it won't affect his rhythm too much.

 

Not he most inspiring article for PC backers.

 

I.m wondering if the closer he gets, the jitters are kicking in. Not mentioned the Jewson hardly at all and 10 days before the big day suddenly starts talking longer trip. Not looking good for PC fans like me holding each each ante post slips. Think the reality of facing SS again is kicking in.

 

He'll run in the Arkle.

 

I think Flyingbolt's rating has been discredited and there have been a few two-milers just as good since then.

Shergar is going OTT but he is spot on about SS's potential. But having said that it is a very good Arkle even after taking him out and he will need to be exceptional to win on the bridle. I do not expect that to happen but he is a worthy favourite. There is talk about him not getting up the hill last year but he flattened the last and that took the stuffing out of him - and he still beat the over-rated Cue Card!

I was lucky enough to see SS close up at Ascot last year and have to say he is an awesome beast.

 

Peddler's Cross should go Jewson surely though? He would win it pretty convincingly given he's likely to be finishing a couple of parishes BEHIND Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle. Can't help thinking that battle with Hurricane Fly up the hill last year broke his heart and he's never been the same since in my view...

 

It does seem a little strange but I think the article is misleading to say the least. The Arkle is clearly the Number 1 target but the way it is worded makes it sound like the Jewson is very much on the agenda. He is still in the Champion Chase and the Champion Hurdle too.

 

How am I going OTT?

Was I going OTT when I predicted Sprinter Sacre would beat Peddlers Cross hard on the steal, by as far as he wanted? Or was I going OTT when I predicted Sprinter Sacre would do the same to seasoned chasers LTO at Newbury?

Sprinter Sacre has already hammered Plodding Cross, whilst Al Ferof couldn't even live with Somersby, Cue Card just doesn't have the class, and Menorah jumps like a cow.

So what does the best horse Henderson and Geraghty have ever been involved with have to worry about?

It will be a question of how far for SS, as nothing in the race is even remotely close to being in his class