A Plus Tard could be heading into retirement after failing to fire in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Henry De Bromhead’s charge looked a pale imitation of the horse who had won the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup as he trailed home last of six behind Galopin Des Champs, beaten 81 lengths by the winner.
Richard Thompson, of his owners Cheveley Park Stud, wants to speak to managing director Chris Richardson before making a final decision but told Tuesday’s Nick Luck Daily Podcast: “He turned ten yesterday and having spoken to Henry and Rachael (Blackmore) about the performance, which was pretty lacklustre, we’re just considering what to do.
“They don’t want to run him in the short-term and I want to speak to Chris Richardson when he gets back from holiday and make a decision from there. At the moment we won’t be running him in the short-term and it feels like he might have done his time but we won’t make that decision finally yet.
“He’s a marvellous horse having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it was a shame to see him labouring last week with no zest at all and that was difficult to watch. We wouldn’t want to watch that again.”
Stablemate Envoi Allen was forced to miss his intended run over the festive season but is heading to Thurles before defending his Ryanair Chase crown.
“The Kinloch Brae at Thurles has been discussed and is probably the way forward for him and probably the Ryanair to follow on from there,” Thompson added.
“He won it last year, Allaho the two years before then. The two horses have just turned ten and you’d think it could be their last performances at Cheltenham so if either won that would be fantastic.”
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