Card for the Supreme

Colin Tizzard has confirmed his stable star Cue Card is an intended runner in the Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham rather than the Champion Hurdle.

The five-year-old was a scintillating winner of last season's Champion Bumper and impressed on his first two outings over obstacles.

He lost no caste in defeat when second to Menorah in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December and unless the Champion Hurdle picture changes dramatically, he will be back against novices on his return to the Festival.

"We had a chat with the owner on Tuesday morning and we've decided he's going to go for the Supreme," said Tizzard.

"We have left him in the Champion Hurdle, but that is just in case maybe three horses go wrong.

"Things could change but we are fully intending to go for the Supreme as things stand.

"We thought it was sensible to leave him in the Champion Hurdle, just to cover all options.

"He's doing lovely and we've been stepping up his work for the last fortnight. He's got three weeks of pretty strong stuff ahead of him now."