A Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore return in triumph
Betfair Chase report: A Plus Tard outclasses rivals
By David Ord
20:56 · SAT November 20, 2021
A Plus Tard outclassed his rivals to become the first Irish-trained winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Second in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, he raced on the bridle throughout under Rachael Blackmore before looming alongside leader Royal Pagaille jumping the third last.
Soon in front with his rider motionless, the 11/10 favourite swept clear to score as he liked by 22 lengths from the early leader.
Bristol De Mai, a triple winner of this race, was pulled up before the second last having weakened down the home straight.
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Saturday's sponsors reacted by making A Plus Tard 4/1 favourite (from 7/1) to go one place better at Cheltenham in March.
Henry De Bromhead on A Plus Tard win
De Bromhead said of the Cheveley Park Stud-owned winner: “My heart was in my mouth as normal, but Rachael was brilliant and obviously A Plus Tard was brilliant as well. With his preference for left-handed tracks, this just seemed the obvious place to go – I was sick of getting beat in the Fortria Chase at Navan for the last couple of years over two miles!
“This is a fantastic race, it’s brilliant to win it and it’s brilliant for the Thompsons (of Cheveley Park).”
A Plus Tard created his own piece of history in victory, becoming the first Irish-trained winner of the race since its inception in 2005.
Henry De Bromhead celebrates A Plus Tard's victory
De Bromhead added: “After the 10th person told me no Irish horse had ever won it before, I started to wonder why we were here at all, but he’s got so much class. He’s won a Grade One over two (miles) and a couple of Grade Ones over three. He’s still only seven, so fingers crossed he’s got a long career ahead of him.
“He’s achieved a hell of a lot for a horse of his age. He’d been working really well and everyone was very happy with him. There’s a great crowd here and we always get a great reception.”
A Plus Tard is now set to tread a familiar route to the Cheltenham Festival, with Leopardstown the next port of call.
He snatched a dramatic victory in the Savills Chase last Christmas and a title defence is uppermost in the mind of De Bromhead, who has the King George at Kempton as a likely destination for Minella Indo.
He added: “Because of his preference for left-handed tracks, the Savills Chase at Leopardstown seems to be the sensible way to go.”
Rachael Blackmore targets Haydock return
Blackmore had not previously ridden around Haydock, but she enjoyed her Merseyside debut.
She said: “That was incredible – I’ll definitely like coming back to Haydock from now on! It was a fantastic performance. He’s such a classy horse and couldn’t have done it any better. He jumped fantastically and felt superb and I was happy everywhere. It’s not often races are that straightforward, but it’s very enjoyable when they are. You only have to look back at what he’s done. It wasn’t his day in March, but he’s proved today he’s extremely good.”
Another day to savour for Rachael Blackmore
Blackmore admits A Plus Tard is a personal favourite, having given her a breakthrough Festival win in the 2019 Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.
“He’s very special to me as he gave me my first ever Cheltenham winner,” she added. “He’s got gears, he stays and jumps really well. He cruises along without doing too much.
“He’s already established and is improving the whole time. He did nothing wrong in Cheltenham in March – everything went right for him and Minella Indo was a better horse on the day. Henry has got a massive yard of extremely talented horses and he is bang up there.”
Placed horse reaction
Royal Pagaille was a valiant second on his reappearance for the Venetia Williams team and his trainer was delighted with the performance. She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled, we’ve won the English division and obviously the winner is an outstanding horse, so you have to be delighted.
“He goes on this ground, but I’ve got to look at his legs for the next fortnight, that’s really why we look for the softer ground. We’ll probably go for the King George next, he’s won twice round here and once round Kempton so we’ll try again.”
Trainer Michael Winters, responsible for third home Chatham Street Lad said: “It was about Rachael today. We were a bit anxious about the ground but he has run well to be third. He can be a bit like a bulldozer with his jumping and take one or two fences with him. His jockey (Sean Quinlan) thinks that a sharper test will suit him and we could maybe look at something at Liverpool (Aintree) for him.
“His owner (Vivian Healy) is great and was keen to come here and have a go, so I’m pleased he ran well.”
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