From RP
CUE CARD'S crashing fall in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday is something Paddy Brennan will probably never get over, the jockey revealed on Saturday.
The Colin Tizzard-trained ten-year-old, who runs in the colours of Jean Bishop, fell three out when in contention with winner Don Cossack and runner-up Djakadam, missing out on a £1 million bonus from Jockey Club Racecourses after wins in the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase this term.
Brennan, who congratulated Don Cossack's connections on their triumph, stopped short of saying Cue Card would have won, but did feel the popular chaser was warming to his challenge.
"He was only getting going and I was confident he'd get the trip," said Brennan, who won the Gold Cup on Imperial Commander six years ago.
"I felt if I had gotten over the fence I'd be able to sit and wait around the bend and gone on to win.
"Who knows if he'd would've - it was three out - but what I do know is when I jumped into that gap in between Don Cossack and Djakadam I felt I was on a very fresh horse."
Brennan, who said he had spoken to Tizzard's son Joe on Friday night and learned Cue Card was fine, added: "It's the hardest thing I've had to put myself through for sure. I'm probably more disappointed for Colin and Jean and her late husband Bob than I am for myself. I've been lucky enough to win a Gold Cup and yesterday I thought we had the horse.
"Everything was going to plan and we ended up on the ground. It's probably something I'll never get over, but I'm racing again at Kempton today and I'm a firm believer you've got to move forward."
