Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead combined for yet another piece of Irish racing history as A Plus Tard became the first Irish-trained horse to land the Betfair Hurdle at Haydock.
In the opening Grade 1 contest of the British season, 5/4 favouritism was justified in a stunning jumping performance by the 7-year-old, who denied Bristol De Mai a fourth win in the race.
A Plus Tard settled well off the early pace set by Bristol De Mai and Royale Pagaille, and was yet to leave third gear when four from the finish, while others began to struggle.
Bristol De Mai was the first to give way as he could not cope with the quick ground, and A Plus Tard capitalised instinctively - making strides to come neck-on-neck with Royale Pagaille and then leave him in dust.
The Cheveley Park star, who is now favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March - kicked on approaching the second-last, clearing the final obstacle with ease to score with 22 lengths to spare.
Demolition job! ?
A Plus Tard produces a scintillating performance in the Grade 1 @Betfair Chase, cantering clear under a motionless @rachaelblackmor for @HenrydeBromhead and @CPStudOfficial ?? pic.twitter.com/Kd4isxlI7t
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) November 20, 2021
De Bromhead was delighted with the victory, but did admit his heart was in his mouth at stages.
"My heart was in my mouth as normal, but Rachael was brilliant and obviously A Plus Tard was brilliant as well. With his preference for left-handed tracks, this just seemed the obvious place to go – I was sick of getting beat in the Fortria Chase at Navan for the last couple of years over two miles! This is a fantastic race, it's brilliant to win it and it’s brilliant for the Thompsons."
Being the first Irish trainer to land the race, the Knockeen trainer admitted that doubt had entered his mind as to why they came, with Blackmore having never ridden at Haydock before and De Bromhead having never saddled a winner there.
"After the 10th person told me no Irish horse had ever won it before, I started to wonder why we were here at all, but he’s got so much class. He’s won a Grade One over two miles and a couple of Grade Ones over three. He’s still only seven, so fingers crossed he’s got a long career ahead of him. He’s achieved a hell of a lot for a horse of his age. He’d been working really well and everyone was very happy with him."
The 7-year-old will now defend his Savills' Chase crown next month before heading to Cheltenham in March.
Further Waterford success
It was a wonderful day all round for De Bromhead as Ballymore winner Bob Olinger made a winning start to his chasing career by landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Gowran Park in a comfortable manner.
The 1-3 favourite cleared the final two fences safely, coming home six and a half lengths clear of Barcardys, with Villierstown trainer Paddy Corkery's Master McShee a further 10 lengths back in third.
Dungarvan jockey Niall Houlihan added to his growing stock when the Gary Moore trained Imphal - the 5/4 favourite ran out a very easy winner of the 3.08 contest at Huntingdon making a brilliant burst through the field late on to score with ease.
Villierstown jockey Mikey Hamill partnered his second winner of the week guiding 4/1 shot Secret Cargo to victory in the 12.30 race at Gowran Park.
In point to point racing there were two Deise victories in North Down with Mellary jockey Mikey Sweeney scoring on Townhill Penny while Dunmore East owner Jim Power had his colours carried to victory by The Creaden Rogue.
