Bob on cue to prove his worth
It would be fairer to call it a score-draw over the median trip of two and a half miles, as Cue Card carried a 7lb penalty by dint of a previous chase win while Bobs Worth is likely to need longer distances in the future.
Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card (2-1), former champion bumper winner and second in the International Hurdle last season, appeared to have matters in hand until the home straight as he jumped elastically in front.
It took even-money favourite Bobs Worth, winner of the Albert Bartlett over three miles last season, a little longer to warm to his new discipline but he remained in contention as Cue Card became slightly sloppy at the final four fences and crept up right on the line.
Winning trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He’ll improve a lot for that. I know he’s going to finish up at three miles, but I wasn’t in a rush to start him over that trip. Barry (Geraghty) said he was confident at the last that he would get there, and I’m glad he was, at least. He jumped a little left, but not violently.
“Kempton (Feltham Chase on Boxing Day) is the obvious race. I know you’d bump into Grands Crus but that’s what the race is there for, and it’s something we’ll discuss.”
Bobs Worth was cut to 6-1 for the RSA Chase by Boylesports, with Betfred offering 8s, while the former firm go 16-1 about Cue Card for the Arkle, and 8-1 for the Jewson.
Tizzard said of the runner-up: “We have just got nabbed by a very good horse - he just outstayed him.
“I thought four or five out that he (Cue Card) was always going to win, but the 7lb penalty has found him out.”
Urbain de Sivola (7-2) could have some big-race engagements after proving 10 engths too slick for hot favourite Ranjaan in an often informative Q Associates Juvenile Hurdle.
Trainer Nick Williams had managed to give his chestnut a couple of hurdling rehearsals already, while Paul Nicholls’ French recruit Ranjaan had not been seen since running on the Flat in France during the summer.
