Trainer Colin Tizzard believes Kempton will suit King George VI favourite Cue Card

Colin Tizzard believes Kempton will suit Cue Card down to the ground when his stable star attempts to justify favouritism in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

Last season’s Ryanair Chase hero may have disappointed in the Christmas showpiece 12 months ago, but he staked a strong claim to putting the record straight when making all the running to win the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Cue Card is 5/2 market leader with the sponsors, and Tizzard enthused about his horse’s prospects at a William Hill King George media day on the gallops at his Dorset yard. “I would think the others have got to improve to beat him, but our horse has to be on his game,” he said.

"I don't think he had a hard race at Haydock, but any of the first three or four (in the betting) could win. Three miles round Kempton will play to his strengths."

Chief threat
Cue Card has been ridden in all his 19 starts by the trainer's son, Joe, and he reckons Al Ferof represents the chief threat. "Al Ferof is the one I fear the most. His form in the past is very good and he'd be better at Kempton than Silviniaco Conti (third at Haydock)," said Tizzard jnr.

Dynaste, the 7/2 second-best, was beaten four and a half lengths by Cue Card at Haydock last month, but the David Pipe-trained grey has a course and distance success to his credit.

Pipe also opened up his Nicholashayne yard for the second part of the media day and hopes Dynaste’s course form will help his cause.

“Dynaste has come out of Haydock well, he’s bouncing on the gallops and it will be a fascinating race,” he said.

“Cue Card is the one they all have to beat, but hopefully we can find a bit more out of our boy. The three miles round Kempton may be a bit better for us than round Haydock.”