A Plus Tard (Kapgarde) storms clear on the run in to win the Grade I Paddy’s Rewards Club “Loyalty’s Dead, Live For Rewards” Chase at Leopardstown for owners Cheveley Park stud and trainer Henry De Bromhead.
Having run with plenty of promise on his seasonal bow in the Grade II Fortia Chase at Navan just over a month ago, there was plenty of market confidence behind A Plus Tard here, although he was up against a warm favourite in the highly promising Willie Mullins trained Chacun Pour Soi. Under a masterful ride from Rachael Blackmore, the 5yo travelled and jumped supremely well throughout before moving to challenge at the final fence where he jumped to the lead and powered clear to win by a going away 3 3/4 lengths.
This was an impressive win by the improving young chaser and he looks to be a serious Grade I horse for connections. After the race trainer De Bromhead said “He had some great runs last year as a novice and I was happy with his first run back this season. We knew he’d come on plenty for it but the favourite was so impressive last year it looked like he’d be difficult to beat over this trip. I wasn’t convinced this was our trip but the softened ground helped and he jumped great. We’ll probably enter him now in the Champion Chase but in my head he was always going for the Ryanair. He’ll probably come back for the Dublin Chase here in February”.
A Plus Tard was a purchased privately on behalf of Cheveley Park Stud having been a highly promising performer in France for trainer Dominique Bressou.
