Colin Tizzard today hailed Cue Card as a “horse of a lifetime” as he prepares for the third and final leg of The Jockey Club’s Chase Triple Crown, which would net a bonus prize of £1 million shared between his owner, trainer, jockey and stable staff at Spurles Farm.

After winning the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November and Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park in December, the Grade 1 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup stands in his way next month at the Home of Jump Racing.

“No one thought Cue Card would be coming back and doing what he has done this year. I thought he was on the wane. Everyone in the West Country loves him now more than ever,” said his trainer Colin Tizzard.

Of The Jockey Club bonus Tizzard said: “It will be lovely for the staff to have some money and I will be able to pay my mortgage off… a little bit!”

The £1 million bonus would be split £650,000 to Cue Card’s owner, Jean Bishop, £150,000 to his trainer, Colin Tizzard, £100,000 to his jockey, Paddy Brennan, and £100,000 between stable staff at the Tizzards’ racing operation.

Paul Fisher, Group Managing Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said:

“We’d really love it if Cue Card goes on to win the Chase Triple Crown and the £1 million bonus for connections that comes with it. It would be a fantastic achievement that all started back in November at Haydock Park and would see him emulate that great chaser of our time, Kauto Star, whose like I thought we may never see again. If Cue Card does win the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup he will deserve his place in the history books.”

Jockey Club Racecourses will review the success of the bonus initiative and explore the commercial terms available following the 2015/16 Jumps season, before confirming whether it will be possible to repeat for the 2016/17 season.

Rather than costing Jockey Club Racecourses £1 million that could be invested elsewhere, the Chase Triple Crown bonus is insured. Every penny of profit The Jockey Club makes it reinvests back into British Racing, as per its Royal Charter commitments.