Cue Card out to retain crown

Cue Card landed the spoils 12 months ago having previously triumphed in 2013 and looks sure to make a bold bid to retain his crown.

The Colin Tizzard trained 10-year-old slammed Silviniaco by seven lengths in last year’s renewal and went on to taste further Grade 1 success in the King George at Kempton and Betfred Bowl at Kempton.

Those victories saw him end the season on a rating of 176, 6lb higher than Conyegree.

That suggests Cue Card is the one to beat but he put in a lack-lustre effort when third on seasonal reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and that makes him opposable in my book despite the fact that he is entitled to strip much fitter for that outing.

Conti bidding for more glory

Silviniaco Conti is also bidding for a third win in the race having won in 2012 and 2015.

Trained by the in-form Paul Nicholls, the 10-year-old has won 11 of his 24 starts over fences and they include back-to-back successes in the King George at Kempton in 2013/14.

Silviniaco Conti is undoubtedly a class act on his day, but the fact that he only managed to get his head in front just once in five starts last season suggests he may not quite be the force of old.

That view was confirmed to some extent when he finished runner-up Valseur Lido on return to action in the Grade 1 Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Although far from disgraced, Silviniaco Conti was made to look very one-paced by the easy 11 length winner and a big step up is required for him to land this.

Related

You’ll find more horse racing betting tips on our dedicated page.

Coral’s top tip: Coneygree has a good record fresh and looks worth a wager to land a fascinating renewal of the Betfair Chase. Last year’s winner Cue Card can chase him home.