Betfred TV regular Joel Ross has emphasised that his allegiance remains with A Plus Tard for the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup in 2023.
A Plus Tard was crowned the Gold Cup winner in 2022, delivering another huge victory for jockey/trainer duo Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, as the former claimed her first Gold Cup win.
The nine-year-old has only featured once since that historic victory a year ago and that appearance came at Haydock where he was pulled up, which has led to his odds drifting with the bookmakers to seal a successive Gold Cup win this year.
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Speaking about A Plus Tard’s chances, Ross joined Betfred TV presenter Matt Hulmes and Frankie Foster for the final Road to Cheltenham episode before the festival kicks off next Tuesday.
Ross believes that there are of course concerns regarding A Plus Tard’s shape after the incident at Haydock last November, but feels given that we know what he is capable of you can’t ignore him.
He said: “I’m not going to change allegiance here, I think coming second [ and then that performance last year [was exceptional]. I think 6/1 is the right price after the pull-up at Haydock. I’m still sticking with Rachael and Henry. If you’re talking from a purely financial standpoint I think it’s an absolutely cracking bet.”
Foster said he cannot argue with anyone taking a look at the reigning champion for an each-way bet, but feels that the favourite, Galopin Des Champs will be too powerful for his rivals.
“I can’t argue with people who want to have an each-way bet with A Plus Tard” he said.
“You’re taking a chance that he turns up in-form and if he does he’s up there with the one to beat [Galopin Des Champs]. But when I saw Galopin Des Champs, when he was asked for more, there was a lot more.
“He came over the last, got challenged yes but it wasn’t a fight at all. It was one crack of the whip and he was off. I think he was in a different league.”
Betfred are no runner, no bet on all races at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, meaning if you have a bet now and the horse doesn’t run, you will get your money back.
You can find links to all previous episodes of Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham below to make sure you’re up to date on the biggest week in horse racing.
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode One
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode Two
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode Three
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode Four
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode Five
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode Six
Betfred’s Road To Cheltenham Episode Seven
Betfred's Road To Cheltenham Episode Eight
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
