As we approach the new year, we are getting into that period where results really start shaping the Cheltenham ante-post markets. Of course, some big names have already appeared this season, stating their claims for the blue-chip events at Prestbury Park in March. And among those is A Plus Tard, Henry de Bromhead’s 7-year-old who is looking to do one better than the 2nd place finish in the 2021 Gold Cup.
Of course, de Bromhead had the one-two finish back in March, with Minella Indo doing the business with Jack Kennedy on board. But whereas Minella Indo disappointed on his season debut at Down Royal, A Plus Tard looked nothing short of imperious when winning the Grade 1 Lancashire Chase at Haydock by 22 lengths. Rachael Blackmore had both of those rides, and we’d be fairly certain who she would pick between the two should the Gold Cup be held today.
A Plus Tard is now the favourite
As it stands then, A Plus Tard has been given the nod by bookmakers as the ante-post market leader, with odds of 3/1 offered by MansionBet horse racing. Minella Indo is right behind at 9/2, followed by Chantry House, Envoi Allen, and Al Boum Photo. Several other big names, including Allaho and Shishkin, have entries, but their business probably lies elsewhere at the festival.
So, to the question: Is A Plus Tard a worth favourite as we head into 2022? You’d have to say so at this stage. It’s not only the strength of that run at Haydock, but the questionable form of the rest of the field. Envoi Allen, for example, saw his odds cut after a comprehensive win at Down Royal (Blackmore taking the ride again) in a Grade 2 chase in late October. But he looked like a different horse at Punchestown in early December, finishing sixth of ten runners.
In late October, Galvin and Minella Indo were also at Down Royal, finishing second and third respectively behind Frodon in the Grade 1 Champion Chase. That doesn’t constitute a failure, as such, but neither was able to make any impression towards the last. Minella Indo, in particular, looked a shadow of the horse that won the Gold Cup in March. He’s always been a ‘when in the mood’ type of horse, so punters might not read too much into it. As for Chantry House, his 37-length victory at Sandown in November looks impressive, but less so when you factor in it was literally a two-horse race.
Al Boum Photo is going for the hat-trick
Perhaps the most interesting candidate has not yet appeared for his season debut. Despite teasing us that Al Boum Photo would start his campaign early, Willie Mullins is now going back to what he knows best by bringing out the two-time Gold Cup winner at Tramore on New Year’s Day. 16/1 looks a reasonable price for Al Boum Photo, although some punters may be put off by the fact that a 10-year-old has not won the Cheltenham showpiece since Cool Dawn in 1998.
But even if the other contenders get their act together, which some of them surely will, it’s clear that A Plus Tard has a lot of things going for him that will please de Bromhead. There’s a big decision to be made for Rachael Blackmore, as she can choose from A Plus Tard, Envoi Allen or Minella Indo. At the moment, the former sticks out as the best option. But there’s a long way to go until 18th March. And the only certainty is that we will see a lot of movements in the betting markets between now and then.
