Gold Cup Winner 2022

Winner: A Plus Tard

Betting Odds: 3/1f

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead

Owner: Cheveley Park Stud

The 94^th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Boodles. A historic moment with Rachael Blackmore becoming the first female jockey to win the race. A description of good to soft and win prize money of £351,687.50. A winning time of 6m 41.75s (fast by 8.25s).

This eight-year-old gelding, son of Kapgarde out of a twice-raced mare named Turboka, formerly in the ownership of Mme Henri Devin until until 11^th October 2018, ran five times in France for trainer Dominique Bressou. A remarkably consistent horse leading up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, placed on all starts, in fact, in the first two bar three third places.

A Plus Tard had been denied by a short head at odds on (8/11f) when caught in the last few strides by Galvin at Leopardstown in the Savill’s Chase (Grade 1) over 3m on yielding ground.

It would be an interesting re-match between stable mates Minella Indo who beat A Plus Tard in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Would this year see a reverse in form?

18^th March 2024 –

3:30 Cheltenham – Boodles Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

A field of 11 runners. Leading fancies included: A Plus Tard 3/1f, Galvin 10/3, Al Boum Photo 6/1, Minella Indo 7/1 & Tornado Flyer 9/1.

A relatively slow run race, especially for the first half; race which benefitted finishing speed.

Willie Mullins’ Asterion Forlonge (22/1), although showing errant jumping, led with Aye Right (80/1) until the 15^th but headed three out. Minella Indo (7/1) sat in mid division while A Plus Tard (3/1) was given a quiet ride held up in the rear. The twice-winning Al Boum Photo (6/1) struggled to capture past glories while Minella Indo led by three lengths two out. Rachael Blackmore made her move leading up the penultimate fence jumping into second. The two Henry De Bromhead horses pulling clear of the third heading toward the last. A Plus Tard led over the last and quickly shot clear from a tiring Minella Indo. The favourite was ridden clear on the run-in running on strongly to the line to win by 15-lengths. The second beating the third, Protektorat, by 2 1/2-lengths.

A class performance. The Racing Post Rating assessment detailed a hugely impressive performance and joint-second rated behind the exceptional Kauto Star (185).

Henry De Bromhead said: ‘To be honest I didn’t question any of it too much (last year), but Rachael said to me about three weeks ago that she was kicking herself and she wants to ride A Plus Tard to use his pace. I said to her do whatever she wanted and I thought she was very brave and brilliant. It was an incredible ride.’

Rachael Blackmore said: ‘I just can’t believe it. I’m so lucky to be getting to ride these kind of horses. These are such special days and I wouldn’t swap the Grand National for anything, but this is the Gold Cup. You have all these plans about how things are going to work out. Racing doesn’t let that happen all the time. I just can’t say how lucky I feel.’

Previous two-time winner Al Boum Photo, winner of the 2019 & 2020 finished a gallant sixth.