Savills Chase report: A Plus Tard wins thriller at Leopardstown

Turning in he looked booked for third as stablemates and eventual second and third Kemboy (9/1) and Melon (25/1) fought it out at the head of affairs.

The former got in tight to the last and Melon, who did the same at the previous fence, rallied only for A Plus Tard to sprout wings and reel them in in the shadows of the post under a jubilant Darragh O'Keeffe.

The winning distance was half-a-length, with Allaho (7/1) fourth.

In-running on the Betfair Exchange the runner-up hit a low of 1.01 for £8,123. A Plus Tard was matched at a high of 210 for small money and Melon a low of 1.60 for £821.

Minella Indo fell early on and Delta Work unseated rider in a dramatic race.

“He did everything right, he travelled and I thought we went a really good gallop,” said O’Keeffe. “Rachael (Blackmore) said to me beforehand that she was going to sit upsides in front (on Minella Indo), and she was only a couple of lengths ahead of me, so I wasn’t worried.

“I sat away and had Paul Townend in front of me (on Allaho) and he (A Plus Tard) was pinging fences. When I gave him a squeeze after jumping the second last, he picked up and he galloped right to the line. After the back of the last I did (think I was going to get there).

“It was brilliant and I’m absolutely over the moon. I can’t thank Henry de Bromhead enough – it’s my first Grade One winner and my first winner for him. This lad had a real, live chance. There were a few questions about whether he stayed or not, but he definitely stayed anyway.”

De Bromhead hailed O’Keeffe’s effort, adding: “It was some finish, he was brilliant. He stayed really well and it was a super ride from Darragh.

“It was unfortunate with Minella Indo, but he seems OK which is the most important thing and Rachael seems OK. It’s very frustrating, but I’m delighted for A Plus Tard, for Darragh and for (owner) Cheveley Park (Stud). It was a brilliant ride from Darragh, he was very cool on him.

“I said it to (Cheveley Park managing director) Chris Richardson about Darragh and he was very happy after Rachael decided to go with Minella Indo. He’s an up-and-coming young rider and we were delighted to get him.

“He stayed on really well in the end. I thought he was staying on in the Ryanair last season and he definitely stayed on really well there.

“He won a Grade One here over two (miles and) one (furlong) last year and now he’s won over three miles. He’s still only six. We’ll see what we do now. He had a tough race there so I’ll speak to all the connections and decide after that. I’m delighted with today.”

When asked if he could be a Gold Cup contender, De Bromhead added: “Absolutely, he stayed at it really well and needed every inch of it. I wouldn’t like to make any plans yet. We’ll enjoy today as this is a pretty savage race to win. We’ll see whether it’s the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, it’s up to everyone involved.”

Sky Bet cut the winner to 9/1 from 40s for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and make Melon 12s from 25s for the Ryanair. Betfair and Paddy Power go 10/1 about A Plus Tard for the March showpiece.

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