A PLUS-SIZED TALENT
Star is Haydock heavyweight
A Plus Tard put his rivals to the sword in the Lancashire Chase at Haydock.
Henry De Bromhead’s star was a red-hot 11-10 favourite for the Grade 1 after taking second in last season’s Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
However, Rachael Blackmore was in no hurry on the gelding, letting Royale Pagaille (13/2) Bristol De Mai (11/4) battle it out for the early lead.
However, the seven-year-old made eye-catching headway on the second circuit, eventually cruising into the lead at the third last.
He then surged clear in the straight, sealing an enormously impressive 22-length success with spectacular leaps at the last two fences.
Royale Pagaille ran the race of his life in second ahead of Chatham Street Lad (28/1) whi le Bristol De Mai was reported to be fine after being pulled up two out.
Trainer de Bromhead: “He was brilliant and it’s fantastic to win the race.
“Chris Richardson, who is the managing director for owners
Cheveley Park Stud, mentioned this race and it’s worked out really well.
“He is better on left-handed tracks so the Savills Chase at Leopardstown seems like the sensible next step for him. He’s only seven and achieved a hell of a lot for a horse of his age.
“He’d been working really well and we were very happy with him, so it’s great to see him go out there and do it. There’s a great crowd here and he got a brilliant reception.”
A Plus Tard is now a general 4/1 favourite to go one better in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
Team de Bromhead received another boost as Bob Olinger (1/3 Fav) opened his account over fences with the minimum of fuss at Gowran Park.
Last season’s Ballymore hero shrugged off last week’s injury scare as he produced a highly professional round of jumping and galloping.
The six-year-old then simply had to be kept up to his work by Darragh O’Keeffe to easily deny the talented Bacardys (14/1) by six lengths.
Bob Olinger is now as short as 2/1 favourite for the Marsh Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in March.