Breathing operation for Colin Tizzard's Cue Card
Thursday 18 September 2014 16:32, UK
Cue Card is back in training and pleasing trainer Colin Tizzard after undergoing a breathing operation.
Tizzard opted for the surgery after thinking long and hard following his star performer's weak finish that cost him victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
That proved to be his last race of the campaign as he sustained a stress fracture of the pelvis in February, which ruled the eight-year-old out of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Speaking to the Western Gazette, Tizzard said: "I felt Cue Card actually had the King George won three out but coming to the second-last something happened - his head went up and I didn't think he could breathe properly because his palate was flapping and loose. Now it's been cauterized and tightened.
"It's something that has been in the back of our minds for a long time but the horse had been so brilliant we thought it disrespectful to even think about doing it.
"He had the op in August and was off for about 10 days but we're back riding him now, he's started cantering and he looks brilliant."
Cue Card is again expected to take in the Betfair Chase he won so well at Haydock in November last year, and Tizzard still harbours hopes of winning the Gold Cup.
He said: "It's everyone's dream to win a Gold Cup and that's where we were heading last season but if he were to be beaten in his first three races this season we might not be so cocky."
