Cue Card Hacks Up As Thistlecrack Picks Up An Injury

The countdown to the Cheltenham Festival is drawing to a close now, and February has been another informative step on the path to the biggest four days in the sport. The action in the UK has been coming in thick and fast as you would expect at this time of year, and there have been more than a few clues to scribble down in the trusty notebook.

The month started with a fascinating winner of the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown as Buveur D’Air claimed a win that puts him right in the frame for Champion Hurdle glory.

The win itself was straightforward but it was in the news following the decision by Nicky Henderson and JP McManus to switch the horse back to hurdles. The Supreme Novices Hurdle 3rd had been in the midst of a novice chasing season but with Annie Power and Faugheen ruled out, connections decided that another crack at the smaller obstacles would be on his agenda.

The bare form of the Contenders Hurdle was average at best, especially with a Champion Hurdle in mind, but it was visually impressive as Barry Geraghty was motionless on board, and there is every chance he could start as the jolly for the day one Festival feature.

There was more success for JP McManus in a key Champion Hurdle trial at Wincanton as Yanworth got up to claim the Kingwell Hurdle. On his final start before Cheltenham, the Christmas Hurdle winner was made to work hard for the victory this time but in the end he was a cosy winner for Alan King.

Visually, it wasn’t an impressive display from Yanworth as he once again hit a flat spot before working hard for the victory, and opinion remains split on his chances at the festival. He will certainly be staying on up the hill given his stamina but will he be too far back to claim the win?

The Super Saturday card at Newbury is always a top-class fixture and as you would expect there was plenty to take in on the day.

The Denman Chase is the last proper Gold Cup Trial in the UK, and we saw an excellent performance from Native River. The Hennessy and Welsh National winner galloped his two opponents into the ground over a trip that most thought would be on the sharp side for him, and his Festival claims were enhanced as a result.

Native River
©Healy Racing PhotosThe performance of Native River at Newbury was bought into sharper focus for Colin Tizzard with the news that Thistlecrack had picked up an injury and now looks set to miss Cheltenham. It was a major blow for connections of one of the most popular horses in training, with a tendon issue likely to rule him out until next season.

The rollercoaster month for Tizzard continued as old favourite Cue Card simply hacked up to win the Ascot Chase for a second time at the Berkshire venue. It was lovely to see the 11YO retain all his old enthusiasm as Paddy Brennan threw him at his fences, and although he didn’t beat too much it was hard not be impressed by the way he pulled clear of the field to add another Grade 1 to his already bulging CV.

It is impossible to know whether Cue Card would have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season had he not fallen but he might just get one final chance at redemption, with plenty of punters piling into the horse in the wake of this recent win.

Finally, we saw plenty of interesting races at Kempton this past weekend on what was the last meaningful day of trials with Cheltenham in mind.

Charli Parcs was perhaps the most exciting name on paper going into the Adonis Hurdle but it wasn’t to be for one of the most talked about horses in training. The Nicky Henderson horse was in trouble when falling two out and his future plans now remain up in the air with connections left with a big decision. Clearly a horse they adore, Charli Parcs still holds entries for the Supreme and the Triumph Hurdle but missing he Festival altogether has to now be an option.

In worse news for JP McManus, Barry Geraghty suffered an injury in the fall from Charli Parcs which will mean he misses the Festival in what is a hammer blow for one of the most powerful owners in the game.

Enjoy Cheltenham!