3 minute read

A Plus Tard is unlikely to head to Newbury for the Betfair Chase, according to Cheveley Park Stud’s Richard Thompson.

"I think it's odds against he runs at Haydock, but he'll be out soon I think. I'm told he's in good form and we're looking forward to seeing how he runs," he said.

"He's had a few issues, as everyone knows. I think those are sorted now, hopefully, and he'll be out soon, but the Betfair Chase may be a bit of a stretch for him as it's only two weeks away."

A Plus Tard was an impressive twenty-two length winner of the Betfair Chase in 2021, ending the same season with victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival in March.

The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding has not appeared to be the force of old in three starts since, pulling up twice before finishing a well-beaten third behind Shishkin in the Group 1 Aintree Bowl in April.

It appears connections would not be dissatisfied if A Plus Tard began the new campaign against easier rivals, with Thompson adding: "I would have thought that will be the plan more than the Betfair Chase. Henry will make the plan, but I get the flavour that he may go that route.

"There's no pressure. He's a Gold Cup winner and a Betfair Chase winner and has given us four Grade Ones – he's given us some fantastic days."