Arkle fancy Cue Card to head straight to festival

EXCITING novice chaser Cue Card, a general 8-1 chance for the Racing Post Arkle, will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after a knocked joint ruled him out of running at Newbury on Friday.

The Grade 2 Betfair Super Saturday Chase - registered as the Game Spirit Chase - was set to be his final prep, but trainer Colin Tizzard, whose son Joe rides the six-year-old, said on Wednesday morning: "He's just knocked a joint, that's all, he's sound again now.

"He's had four runs. He has enough experience for the Arkle. It was debatable whether he went [for the Game Spirit] last week anyway.

"Joe's riding him in exercise now, he's fine, but he's too precious a horse to take chances with."

Owned by Jean Bishop, Cue Card has won two of his four starts over fences, including an impressive victory at Newbury in December.

He was a brilliant winner of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2010 and finished fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last year.