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Watching the ch4 coverage of the King George I thought Colin Tizzard appeared quite critical of Brennan’s ride on Cue Card. He said something along the lines of ‘it’s a fickle world we live in’ when describing the moment Brennan and Cue Card came upsides Thistlecrack. I thought it a strange comment. Then he said that he thought Cue Card had come upsides ‘three fences too early’ before suggesting they don’t give their jockeys specific instructions (the subtext clearly being that if they did those wouldn’t have been them).
I thought it looked pretty clear he thought the runner up had been given a poor ride.
I thought Brennan’s expression was of a man who knew he’d got it wrong also.
Did he have a ‘mare on Cue Card do you think?Yes I did hear that, but I thought it was more of a case of The Farmer being forced to flap his gums with some vague immediate-post-race thoughts that the media demand, rather than saying anything significant.
Frankly, it was hard to imagine a less ‘tactical’ race than yesterday’s, with everything hunting close up until Thistlecrack put it to bed. For me, Cue Card wasn’t at his best and there was nothing Brennan could have done to have got him any closer.
Mike
I read that fickle comment as meaning he changed his mind as to which one to root for.
Personally I think Brennan did absolutely nothing wrong!!
He tried to put pressure on Thistlecracks jumping which IMO was the best way to try to win the race.
Personally I think Brennan did absolutely nothing wrong!!
He tried to put pressure on Thistlecracks jumping which IMO was the best way to try to win the race.
That’s not the way Cue Card is ridden to best effect though. Cue Cards great successes in his latter years have been when delivered lateish from off the pace.
I thought it was a poor ride from Brennan. I can see why he did what he did but I’m pretty certain if he could re-run the race he would do things very differently.
Nowt wrong with the ride imo. The going was probably Cue Card’s undoing. He hasn’t won on it for more than 5 years despite 8 runs on it.
Nowt wrong with the ride imo. The going was probably Cue Card’s undoing. He hasn’t won on it for more than 5 years despite 8 runs on it.
Exactly. The ground wasn’t soft enough for Cue Card. I don’t remember Cue Card being produced lateish in the Betfair or the Gold Cup.
The going will probably be too quick for Cue Card come March
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It was obvious Thistlecrack was going far better than anything else along the back straight. With the novice’s previous jumping being better left on his own in front – and (importantly) nobody else taking him on… Cue Card’s best chance (at that point) was trying to force a mistake from Thistlecrack. Of course Colin Tizzard wouldn’t have wanted those tactics used, could’ve seen both stable stars on the floor. But Brennan was doing what was best for his owner. Anyone believing a top form Cue Card hasn’t taken on the leader should do a short rewind to the Betfair and Coneygree.
imo Not only was there nothing wrong, it was – at that time – the percentage call and absolutely the best thing to do. I’d have criticised Brennan had he not done it. Credit to Thistlecrack, it didn’t work, doesn’t mean it was the wrong thing to do.
Value Is Everythinghas it ever been mentioned that cue card might also be a lot more comfortable going left handed? His relative flops have been at kempton and Exeter and whilst there will be mitigating circumstances cited these are just about the only right hand tracks he’s run at
I believe most horses have a bias and maybe it’s just me but he just doesn’t seem to somehow travel as well at kempton compared to haydock and especially cheltenham
has it ever been mentioned that cue card might also be a lot more comfortable going left handed? His relative flops have been at kempton and Exeter and whilst there will be mitigating circumstances cited these are just about the only right hand tracks he’s run at
I believe most horses have a bias and maybe it’s just me but he just doesn’t seem to somehow travel as well at kempton compared to haydock and especially cheltenham
First time Cue Card showed what an exceptional racehorse he is was at Exeter, with a 26 lengths victory.
Also beat Captain Chris (who’d just come off a hd defeat in the King George) 6 lengths at Ascot.
And… A performance right up to his best in last year’s King George…All right handed.
Look at CC’s disappointing runs right handed, Clive; and you’ll see they coincide with other problems. eg Eppiglotis.
Value Is EverythingFair enough. I think that condition probably had a good deal of impact but somehow I just feel that when watching him he just seems to relish the left handed tracks more
Either way he has nothing to prove whatever the rest of his career amounts to. A wonderful horse
has it ever been mentioned that cue card might also be a lot more comfortable going left handed? His relative flops have been at kempton and Exeter and whilst there will be mitigating circumstances cited these are just about the only right hand tracks he’s run at
I believe most horses have a bias and maybe it’s just me but he just doesn’t seem to somehow travel as well at kempton compared to haydock and especially cheltenham
For whatever reason I would agree that Kempton doesn’t suit him.
I don’t think last year’s King George was near to his best. His best wins have all been about smooth travelling and being produced on the bridle. Last year he only just managed to wear down Vautour. He clearly won despite the track and he might well have been fortunate that Don Cossack didn’t complete.
His first exceptional performance was winning the Festival Bumper on the bridle. There has never been a more impressive winner of that race.
Cue Card wouldn’t have beaten Thistlecrack no matter how good the ride or who had ridden him . Colin Tizzard may have had the decision to run Thistlecrack forced upon him by the owners , thus reducing the obvious chance of helping to secure the elusive £1m on offer for winning the three chosen races .
Although many of us sided with Cue Card beforehand , mainly based on that horse’s experience , form and previous year’s victory over Vautour , set against Thistlecrack’s inexperience ; the truth of the matter is that Tizzard probably knew the minute he declared Thistlecrack as a certain runner , that the writing was on the wall for Cue Card .
Paddy Brennan was damned if did and damned if he didn’t . It mattered not a jot how he decided which tactics to employ – he would stiĺ have finished second .Thistlecrack just proved beyond doubt that he had too much ability for his stable companion , and should they meet again , the outcome will be the same .
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For whatever reason I would agree that Kempton suits him.
I don’t think last year’s King George was near to his best. His best wins have all been about smooth travelling and being produced on the bridle. Last year he only just managed to wear down Vautour. He clearly won despite the track and he might well have been fortunate that Don Cossack didn’t complete.
His first exceptional performance was winning the Festival Bumper on the bridle. There has never been a more impressive winner of that race.
Cue Card has been more visually impressive elsewhere, Stilvi; but that’s been against inferior rivals.
Vautour wasn’t just a good Grade 1 winner, he was an exceptional Grade 1 winner. So was Don Cossack. All three horses achieved a Timeform rating of 180 or more. Had Don Cossack not fallen I think he’d at least have been involved in the photo and may well have won. Showed his class by going on to win the Gold Cup from Djakadam, beating him by 3 lengths further than Coneygree… And not only did Vautour go on to win the Ryanair, he won it with a massive amount to spare. imo Vautour barely styed 3m at Kempton, yet the performnce/form still rated highly. Great shame we lost him – could’ve been best of the three – convinced would’ve gone on to even better things at intermediate trips.
Moscow Flyer’s Tingle Creek had three horses rated 180 or more. So did last year’s King George until Don fell. Winning pair 13 lengths clear. Cue Card was imo less impressive than earlier in his career for two reasons. Quality opposition and maturity… Settles a lot better nowadays and therefore doesn’t travel with the ease of old. Just because a horse doesn’t travel as well through a race, doesn’t mean the form is any worse.Value Is Everything
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