A Plus Tard
A Plus Tard is not under the radar any more, but the performance that Henry de Bromhead's horse put up in winning the Close Brothers Chase is still worthy of note.
Everything about this performance impressed. He was quickly into a nice racing rhythm for Rachael Blackmore, just in behind leaders Russian Doyen and Highway One O One. He travelled well through his race, and his jumping was really good for a novice who was racing over fences for just the fourth time in his life. He travelled really well down the hill, he moved to the front on the run around the home turn, he picked up well from that point and he stayed on strongly over the last two fences to win by 16l.
The Cheveley Park Stud horse will always be known as the horse on whom Rachael Blackmore had her first Cheltenham Festival win, but he could be only beginning now. He hardly missed a beat here and he took his field apart. And he is only five years old. There is no knowing how high he could go.
He will be of interest if he runs again now at Fairyhouse or Punchestown. He could step up in grade for the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. Longer term, he could be good enough to be a Ryanair Chase horse next season, and connections are entitled to think that he could make up into a Gold Cup horse in time.
Cheltenham, 12th March 2019
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