De Bromhead in line for festival double

RACING: A Plus Tard and Minella Melody look well set

A PLUS TARD can confirm his status as a Grade One performer by winning the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge looked a potential superstar 12 months ago, powering home by 16 lengths in the 20-runner Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, and has been campaigned with the festival in mind.

Defeat to last month’s Irish Gold Cup winner and leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Delta Work at Punchestown in late April over three miles was no disgrace, and then he was put away.

The six-year-old only reappeared in November to blow away the cobwebs when second at Navan. He improved greatly on that to score at Leopardstown over Christmas, when he lowered the colours of the odds-on Chacun Pour Soi.

De Bromhead has obviously saved him for the Ryanair and he should take some beating.

MINELLA MELODY can give De Bromhead a double in the Daylesford Mares’ Novice Hurdle.

After making a winning debut at Cork in November, the six-year-old won a Listed contest at Punchestown in December and successfully stepped up to Grade Three class at Fairyhouse in January on her latest start.

Emma Lavelle has been working back from the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for PAISLEY PARK since he lifted this coveted prize in 2019.

His preparation has gone to plan and the top-class hurdler is now on a sevenrace unbeaten run, winning both his starts this season ahead of the defence of his crown. He is hard to oppose.

FAUGHEEN can bring the house down in the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

Willie Mullins’ 12-year-old has rolled back the years since making a belated switch to fences and looked not far off his best at Leopardstown last month. SELECTIONS

CHELTENHAM: 1.30 Faugheen, 2.10 Kilbricken Storm, 2.50 A PLUS TARD (NAP), 3.30 Paisley Park, 4.10 Simply The Betts, 4.50 Minella Melody, 5.30 Deise Aba.

DONCASTER: 1.15 Glenduff, 1.45 Top Decision, 2.25 Champagne Terri, 3.05 Lord Brendy, 3.45 Premier D’troice, 4.25 Out On The Tear, 5.05 Los Alamos.

HEXHAM: 1.55 Little Pippin, 2.35 Phantom Isle, 3.15 Giovanni Change, 3.55 Dino Boy, 4.35 Duty Girl, 5.15 Destiny Is All, 5.50 Lord Springfield.

DOUBLE: A Plus Tard and Paisley Park.