Cheltenham Gold Cup A Plus Tard and Rachael Blackmore pass the winning post in front. © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Henry De Bromhead believes that 2022 Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard may be able to put last season's disappointing campaign behind him when the nine-year-old returns to action in the coming months.
Having won the blue riband of steeplechasing two years ago, the Cheveley Park Stud owned gelding was pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on his reappearance last November. Absent until showing up to defend his crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March, A Plus Tard showed signs of his old self before eventually being pulled up after being hampered.
On his final start of an interrupted campaign, the son of Kapgarde finished last of three finishers in the Aintree Bowl.
“We haven’t rushed him but he’s in mighty form and looks really well," said De Bromhead.
“He obviously wasn’t himself last season for various reasons but now after the summers break he seems really well, although he did this time last year as well.
“We’ll see whether he’ll make Haydock(Betfair Chase) or not but we have the Savills at Christmas as well.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
