Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard returns to action at Haydock
Defending champion and Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard makes his eagerly awaited return to action at Haydock Park on Saturday in the £200,000 Betfair Chase.
Trained by Henry De Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, the eight-year-old was an emphatic winner of the 2021 running by 22 lengths, slamming his six rivals with a stunning performance on Merseyside. You can find the latest odds for the Grade One contest at Betfair.
Beaten a short-head by Galvin in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, A Plus Tard produced one of the great Gold Cup performances of recent times when powering to a 15-length success in Jump Racing’s Blue Riband event in March at the Cheltenham Festival.
De Bromhead’s stable star faces four rivals in the extended three miles and one furlong event, including three-time winner Bristol De Mai who remarkably lines up in this contest for the sixth time. Ryanair Chase third Eldorado Allen and King George hero Frodon are both interesting rivals.
However, the stiffest challenge looks set to come from Protektorat for Dan and Harry Skelton. Part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, the seven-year-old is already a Grade One scorer over fences and produced a seismic performance when landing the Many Clouds Chase last term. He went on to finish best of the British challenge when a fine third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, over 17 lengths behind A Plus Tard. However, he remains an unexposed chaser capable of further progression.
Connections of A Plus Tard are keen to stick to a similar path this season and despite the possible presence of Galopin Des Champs and other unexposed chasers this term, he remains the standard-setter in the staying chase division.
Before racing at Haydock on Saturday, there is also a special race taking place with six runners going to post for the Betfair Race to the World Cup Stakes. The runners, each representing one of the top six favourites in the betting to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will take part in a five-furlong contest, to predict the outcome.
Betfair are donating £10,000 on behalf of jockeys, trainers and owners involved in the race to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
Betfair ambassador Bryony Frost, who will ride for England in the event, said: “I'm delighted to be representing England in the Betfair Race to the World Cup Stakes at Haydock this weekend. After England’s heartbreaking loss against Italy at the Euros, the success of the Lionesses this summer showed the great strength of English football and hopefully the men’s team can repeat that at the World Cup.
"I’ve been lucky to have some memorable rides with Frodon and there is nothing better than riding a fan favourite, so hopefully I can bring football home at Haydock on Saturday."
Elsewhere on the card, Hitman looks tough to beat in the Betfair Graduation Chase at 1.50pm. Paul Nicholls’ charge was a fine second in the Old Roan Chase on his comeback and is the clear class angle here. The progressive Minella Drama and the thoroughly unexposed Erne River can give him the most to think about.
The big betting race of the day looks to be the £125,000 Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at 2.25pm. Charles Byrnes looks to have a fascinating runner in the shape of Run For Oscar who landed a gamble on the Flat last time out when running away with the Cesarewitch. A three-time winner over hurdles, he commands plenty of respect back on the level.
The classy Might I finished behind Constitution Hill and Jonbon last term and is respected having filled second in Grade One company on his final start last season as a novice.
Paul Nicholls saddles Complete Unknown who was second in Listed company at Perth in April and is another of interest. Good Risk At All impressed on his comeback at Carlisle and is another to be taken seriously along with smart mare Get A Tonic and the progressive Botox Has who shaped with promise on his seasonal return at Haydock last time out.
At Punchestown on Sunday, all eyes will be on the G1 Morgiana Hurdle on Sunday which could feature two of Willie Mullins’ stable stars in the shape of Sir Gerhard and Vauban. The pair both impressed with respective wins in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and could take on former winner Saldier and defending two-time champion Sharjah in a thrilling event.
Betfair Chase betting: 8/15 A Plus Tard, 9/4 Protektorat, 5/1 Bristol De Mai, 12/1 Eldorado Allen, 16/1 Frodon