Tizzard has high hopes for Cue Card

Cue Card
(Healy Racing Photos)

In an interview with The Weekender, the West Country handler was keen to point out that his horse has plenty of high-class form in the book ahead of the three-mile contest.

"He is the most genuine horse you could hope to train," said Tizzard.

"He was a leading novice chaser last season and he is involved in every bit of good form in Britain - he was a short-head behind Bob's Worth, he beat For Non Stop by four lengths and was beaten only seven lengths by Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle."

Cue Card won the Haldon Gold Cup by 26 lengths on his reappearance this season and is behind only favourite Long Run in the King George betting, a race which has been his target ever since that Exeter romp.

"He heads to Kempton in fantastic form and if you could have seen him last week he did the best piece of work since he came into training," added Tizzard.

"I respect each of his rivals next Wednesday, but if my fellow stays he will take some beating.

"It is the tiny word 'if' that makes all the difference. I personally think he will and in his current form he is a major player."