Key quotes as Richard Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud discusses two of their Cheltenham Festival winners
A Plus Tard and Allaho won the Gold Cup and Ryanair respectively last season
Allaho could return from injury in the 2023 Ryanair Chase
There's a chance A Plus Tard could run at Leopardstown before heading back to the 2023 Gold Cup
First-placed Jockey Rachael Blackmore rides horse 'A Plus Tard' on to the course before winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)
Richard Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud said this week that two of jump's racing biggest stars could head straight to the Cheltenham Festival.
A Plus Tard scooted up the Cheltenham hill to hand Cheveley Park its first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner 12 months ago. Following a shocking reappearance run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, A Plus Tard was supposed to return in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Sadly, Henry De Bromhead was forced to withdraw his star on the advice of the vets on the day of the race, leaving plans for his reigning Gold Cup winner up in the air.
"I don't think it was a serious problem at all really, that was the word I got, so we'll see where he is." Thompson told Sky Sports on Tuesday.
The Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival is now being considered for A Plus Tard, but Thompson told the press that he would be happy if the team took a direct route back to the Gold Cup.
"He might run in the Irish Gold Cup, but that's 50-50 I think. I'd probably rather on balance go straight to Cheltenham, but I'll leave it to Henry. If he thinks he should get another run into him, then of course it's his decision."
"I'd be very comfortable not having a run before Cheltenham, that would be my personal view for what it's worth."
Paul Townend on Allaho clears the last to win The Ryanair Chase race during day three of The Cheltenham Festival 2022. (Getty)
Another of Cheveley Park's stars who could head straight to Cheltenham is two-time Ryanair Chase winner Allaho.
Following a stunning victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup, a tilt at last year's King George VI Chase had been on Allaho's agenda for this season. However, Willie Mullins' star met with a set-back shortly after his return to training and very little has been said about Allaho since.
To the delight of Allaho's fans, Thompson delivered a fairly positive update when asked about their nine-year-old's fitness and revealed there were no plans to get a run in before returning to the Cheltenham Festival.
Thompson explained, "I think he (Allaho) is in good shape and I think Willie (Mullins) is looking to go straight to Cheltenham with him. At the moment that's the plan," Thompson added.
"He's very much on course to go to Cheltenham. If he can go there having a chance of winning the Ryanair for a third time, that would be a hell of an achievement."
Allaho remains the clear favourite to win his third Ryanair Chase in 2023, with bet365 offering a top price of 7/4. A Plus Tard is the 8/1 third-favourite in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup betting, which you can find here on our website...
