Cue Card 7-1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle

Exciting youngster Cue Card put up an almost flawless performance to make a winning start to his career over obstacles at Aintree at the weekend and maintain his unbeaten record.

Bookmakers immediately cut his price for the Supreme Novices Hurdle next March. Most cut the price from around 10/1 to 6/1 favourite, although William Hill are currently still offering 7/1.

The four-year-old ran out a shock 40/1 winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival this year but was sent off at just 1/2 for this first outing over timber. Always travelling ominously well in the hands of the trainer’s son Joe Tizzard, the unbeaten gelding eased to the front when his rider gave him his head and he was soon in full command.

He produced some spectacular leaps on his way to success, none more so than at the second last when his jockey, Joe Tizzard, eased his vice-like grip on the reins and his mount flew the hurdle like a seasoned professional. He came home 13 lengths clear of Dear Sam, leaving his trainer, Colin Tizzard, dreaming of further Festival glory:

"I've had worse days. I don't know how good he is, but that Cheltenham form is absolutely fantastic – everything that has come out of the race has won. He could go back there in three weeks' time now as he hasn't taken anything out of himself. He travelled supremely, almost too well, and when Joe asked him to come up for one he jumped out of his hands. There's a lot of responsibility that comes with having a horse as good as this and I just hope I'm up to it. Horses like this one don't come along very often."

The four-year-old, one of only three of that age to win the Cheltenham Bumper in 19 runnings, may not have beaten much, but on this evidence could be up there with some of the best recent graduates from that arena.

Four-year-old Cue Card has the makings of a potential superstar

Ryanair Chase winner features today

Albertas Run becomes the first of the major Cheltenham Festival winners to return this season in today's Old Roan Chase (Aintree 15:25) at best odds of 5/1 (Bet365).

Jonjo O'Neill's runner transformed from nearly horse to champion last season in the Ryanair Chase and followed up over this weekend's course and distance in the Melling Chase at the Grand National meeting.

Albertas Run is saddled with top-weight of 11st 10lb in this Grade Two limited handicap, where he will be attempting to prevent Monet's Garden from landing a third victory in four years.

Although the gelding won Ascot's Amlin 1965 Chase on his seasonal bow in 2009, O'Neill said he has left something to work with.

The trainer reported: "He's in good form. He schooled well the other day and everything has gone nicely. He's ready for a spin, although he's not 100% and will come on for the run.

"He'll probably have a similar sort of campaign to last year, like the race he won at Ascot. But Trevor (Hemmings, owner) might want him to go to Haydock instead, so we'll wait and see."

Today's Old Roan Chase is televised on Channel 4. Back any single winner at 4/1 or more on a UK or Irish race televised live on Channel 4 with Bet365 and you can have a free bet to the same stake on the next live Channel 4 race.

Ten to follow

Mark Howard's annual guide to the new National Hunt season, One Jump Ahead, is out and the author has outlined his personal top ten for the campaign, which steps up a gear next week when Cheltenham host their first meeting of the 2010-2011 season:

Here they are with their trainers names in brackets:

1 Arivka Ligeonniere (W Mullins). A long-term Arkle Chase prospect who travelled supremely well before finishing fourth in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when finding the trip too far.

2 Finians Rainbow (N Henderson). Beaten a length in the Challow Hurdle on his final start last season, he looks like making into a classy novice chaser.

3 Glenwood Knight (D McCain). Another going novice chasing. The trainer rates him as a similar type to his Festival winner Ballabriggs.

4 Peveril (N Henderson). Will eventually go over fences with the RSA Chase on the agenda eventually. However, Howard suggests watching out for him in a brush fence handicap hurdle at Aintree on November 20 which his owner won with Burton Port before he went chasing.

5 Prince Of Pirates (N Henderson). A JP McManus-owned gelding who took the eye in two bumpers last season.

6 Royal Charm (P Nicholls). His blip on his final race last season should be filed under ignore as he returned sore. Nicholls told Howard: "We have no more promising novice around in the yard."

7 Spirit River (N Henderson). Classy handicap hurdler who is going chasing this time around. Trainer considers him a natural.

8 Sprinter Sacre (N Henderson). Unbeaten bumper who caught the eye when successful at Ascot and at Ayr's Scottish National meeting.

9 Wishfull Thinking (P Hobbs). Would have been second in the Coral Cup but for tipping up and was injured when unplaced at the Grand National meeting following that. Novice chaser who is expected to make up into an RSA Chase candidate.

10 Wymott (D McCain). Another exciting, lightly raced chasing prospect with his up-and-coming handler.