Powers taking on Cue Card

Bookmakers Paddy Power are hoping lightning can strike for a third time by offering a money-back special if Cue Card wins the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Irish firm have offered the same concession for the last two years on beaten favourites Cousin Vinny and Dunguib and are taking on Colin Tizzard's five-year-old in the Festival opener.

Currently on offer at 9-4 with Paddy Power, the bookie will refund all losing bets placed from 10am on February 27 if Cue Card comes home in front.

"Our big Cheltenham special has now become part of the Festival, and much as we think Cue Card is close to being a stone-bonking certainty, we just can't resist giving it another bash for the third year on the trot," said Paddy Power.

"The law of averages suggests that one day we're going to be caught with our pants down, and when we do there won't be too many sympathetic shoulders to cry on!

"This is Cheltenham, it's hard enough to pick winners so why should it be just the punters who take a chance?"

Tizzard, who is looking to give Cue Card a gallop at Newbury on Friday, admitted to being shocked when the five-year-old lost his unbeaten record to Menorah last time out.

"I thought that he had a hard race last time and while I half considered running him in January, most of mine were running badly then," said Tizzard.

"He's a good horse first time out and I had Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown on my my mind so it was an easy decision in the end.

"I was shocked when he got beat because he had been so good in his four earlier races but the winner must have been exceptional to beat him, although our fellow didn't gallop for 10 days because of the frost and just cantered away.

"Menorah might beat us again and he is a nice horse but ours is a bloody good horse and I hope to take him on again one day."