A Plus Tard Could Give Rachael Blackmore a First Gold Cup Win

Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up A Plus Tard is set for a second shot at the Cheltenham Festival feature in March. Henry De Bromhead’s chaser goes into the race on the back of a solid campaign in the division.

The highlight of the season for A Plus Tard has been his victory at Haydock in a Grade One contest. He blew his rivals away in the 3m race, enhancing his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims.

Although the jockey bookings for the Cheltenham Gold Cup have yet to be announced, Rachael Blackmore is expected to partner A Plus Tard. The horse racing results prove it was an excellent meeting for the Irish jockey in 2021. She finished the week with six winners, including a victory in the Champion Hurdle.

As listed in the fast results, Blackmore has ridden A Plus Tard in both of his races this season. She was also on board the horse when he finished second at Leopardstown during their festive meeting. He was denied the first prize by just a short head on that occasion.

The Irish rider made history last season by becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National. If she was able to ride the winner of the Gold Cup, it would be another tremendous boost for women’s sport.

Defending Champion Can’t Be Ruled Out

The horse which finished ahead of A Plus Tard last season in the Gold Cup was Minella Indo. His stablemate outbattled him up the hill in the run to the finish line.

This season has not gone the way connections of Minella Indo would have wanted. He has failed to score in three appearances on the track. However, he was much better last time out, finishing second in the Irish Gold Cup.

After what he achieved in the Gold Cup last March, Minella Indo is likely to be giving Blackmore sleepless nights. She may have to turn down the ride of the horse in order to jump on board A Plus Tard.

Protektorat Leads the British Challenge To De Bromhead Pair

A British-trained horse has not won the Cheltenham Gold Cup since 2018. Dan Skelton will hope he ends that stretch when he saddles Protektorat. It will be the horse’s first appearance in the Blue Riband event of the Festival.

The seven-year-old ended last season with victory in a Grade One novice contest at Aintree. He became a big Gold Cup contender when he won the Many Clouds Chase at that same course by 25 lengths back in December.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the owners of Protektorat. He has had a lot of success as an owner in horse racing, but he has yet to win a race at the Cheltenham Festival. A victory in the Gold Cup, would be some way of recording his maiden triumph at the meeting.

The 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on Friday, 18th March at 15:30. It is scheduled on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival and this year’s renewal will be the 94th in history.