Card on cue for Betfair defence

Colin Tizzard is hopeful history can repeat itself as Cue Card aims to retain his crown in what promises to be another thrilling renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock today.

The eight-year-old might be a dual Cheltenham Festival winner having annihilated the opposition in the 2010 Champion Bumper and landed last year’s Ryanair Chase, but his brilliant display on Merseyside 12 months ago was arguably a career-best effort.

That sensational performance came off the back of a decent effort in defeat in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and he has followed the same path this year, finishing fourth in Devon earlier this month on his first start since filling the runner-up spot in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.