Colin Tizzard duo ready for battle in Cheltenham Gold Cup

Colin Tizzard insists he will be an impartial supporter of Native River and Cue Card when destiny comes calling in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.Even in spite of Thistlecrack's enforced absence, the Dorset handler has long held the aces in the big race as his two runners remain towards the head of the market.But Tizzard has no preference for either horse on what will be the biggest day of his training career.He said: " The handicapper says there is about 2lb between them and they know pretty much what is what. "I would not be able to split them and I would not mind if either jumps the last four lengths clear.There is no way I would want one horse to win more than the other. "All I want is for both horses to run their races and come back fit and sound.May the best horse win." Native River has been a revelation this season, with victories in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, the Welsh National at Chepstow and the Denman Chase back at Newbury a clear testament of his quality.His trainer said: "He has what it takes to win a Gold Cup, whether or not he does so this year."He ran well in the four-miler last year and was staying on well and was only beaten three-quarters of a length. "He is only seven and he is going the right way.He has got everything and is in the form of his life." Eleven-year-old Cue Card suffered a heartbreaking fall in the Gold Cup last season when bang in the hunt, but has shown no signs of slowing down this winter."He won so strongly at Ascot last time and looks as well as he has ever been," said Tizzard."Cue Card has done everything bar win a Gold Cup and we have everything to play for.We thought his chance might have gone, but he has an equally good chance this year as he had last year. "The Gold Cup is a very big strain on the owner, trainer and jockey."None of us ever expected Cue Card to fall as he has always been a very neat and accurate jumper. At the time it was great that he just got back up. Paddy (Brennan) just took it as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. "Cue Card has been, and still is, a Grade One horse and I don't think he is wilting yet. I am so proud of the horse." Bristol De Mai was well beaten by Native River at Newbury last month, but trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies felt there were extenuating circumstances. He said: "We thought we'd run him too soon after Haydock, but he was just very lame for the week afterwards."He's had lots of injections and treatment and seems 100 per cent now. Hopefully he's back in the frame again.Now he settles, he'll stay as long as you want." Trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner JP McManus won the race with Synchronised in 2012 and are double-handed with Minella Rocco and More Of That.O'Neill said: "We all think a lot of Minella Rocco. His form is good, but he hasn't had chance to prove it this year."More Of That's run in Ireland was the first time he showed us he was coming back to form.Hopefully they'll run big races." Paul Nicholls hopes last month's Kelso scorer Saphir Du Rheu can outrun his big odds."If he can jump and get his act together, he's a good horse," said the Ditcheat handler."He has plenty of ability and we have not seen the best of him yet."By contrast, Smad Place's best days are probably behind him but the 10-year-old grey still takes the plunge in the Gold Cup.Trainer Alan King said: "It's going to be very tough for the old boy but he has been an absolute superstar."