Rachael Blackmore: A Plus Tard 'in great form' ahead of Betfair Chase

Rachael Blackmore is relishing the opportunity to be reunited with A Plus Tard in their bid for back-to-back victories in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned eight-year-old has already provided Blackmore with some of her biggest days in the saddle, kicking off with her first Cheltenham Festival success three years ago.

Since then the pair have combined for three Grade One victories, including a 22-length triumph on Merseyside 12 months ago and a similarly breathtaking display in the Cheltenham Gold Cup as Blackmore became the first female jockey to claim National Hunt racing's most prestigious prize.

A Plus Tard can expect to encounter very different conditions to last year at Haydock, with the ground forecast to be testing, but Blackmore is nevertheless excited to be on board once more.

She said: "I’m really looking forward to riding him, he has been in great form at home so we’re looking forward to getting him started.

"Henry and Davey Roche (assistant) are very happy with him, he seems as good as last year at home anyway, and is in great form.

"It was a phenomenal performance he put in last year and we’re hoping for a very good run.

"It is hard to comprehend the type of horses I get to ride, he ran a fantastic race last year and hopefully all goes to plan on Saturday."

Last season A Plus Tard won at Haydock as trainer Henry de Bromhead’s first ever runner at the track before going on to be narrowly beaten in Leopardstown’s Savills Chase and then win the Gold Cup.

The Knockeen handler is planning to follow the same route this term and feels his charge is in similar form to this time last year.

"We started thinking of the Betfair Chase last year after he was second to Minella Indo in the Gold