Grand National Festival: Cue Card can Bowl over rivals

David Metcalf | April 5, 2016

Compensation awaits for Cue Card

Cue Card looked sure to play a hand in the finish when crashing out in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and can gain compensation by landing the Grade 1 Betfred Bowl at Aintree (14:50) on day one of the Grand National Festival.

The Colin Tizzard trained gelding finished a distant runner-up top Don Cossack in the race 12 months ago, but has looked a different horse and better than ever this season after undergoing a breathing operation.

After landing the Charlie Hall Chase in terrific style at Wetherby on his return to action, the 10-year-old posted a breathtaking display when cruising to a seven length success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Yet to be asked a serious question

Cue Card went on to land the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day by a head from the brilliant Vautour, and was disputing the lead and travelling strongly last in the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last month when coming to grief three from home.

The son of King’s Theatre had yet to be asked a serious question by jockey Paddy Brennan when disaster struck, and there seems little doubt that he would have given the eventual winner Don Cossack plenty to think about had he stood on his feet.

Providing that fall hasn’t left its mark, Cue Card looks the one to beat judged on his victory in the King George at the Merseyside track where his form figures read 1222.