RACHAEL BLACKMORE MADE it a hat-trick of Grade wins as she scooped another of the major prizes at the Leopardstown Christmas festival with A Plus Tard.
After winning both of Thursday’s big races, Blackmore got a pitch-perfect tune out of A Plus Tard to stun the well-fancied Chacun Pour Soi in the Paddy Power Rewards Club Chase.
Sent off the 4/1 second favourite, A Plus Tard downed Willie Mullins’ 8/15 favourite in a gripping battle, pulling clear in the final strides to win by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
Rachael Blackmore does it again - A Plus Tard beats Chacun Pour Soi into second in a thrilling finish at #Leopardstown pic.twitter.com/Xj7ZfxK0Vw
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) December 27, 2019
Friday’s other Grade 1 prize, the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, went the way of Abacadabras in the hands of Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud.
The impressive novice was a comfortable eight-length winner at odds of 10/11f, with pre-race market rival Blue Sari trailing home a distant fourth.
Abacadabras eventually grinds down a gutsy Heaven Help Us to win the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at #Leopardstown pic.twitter.com/8Z5Qj1xavx
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) December 27, 2019
And the €200,000 Paddy Power Chase went the way of Roaring Bull and Jack Kennedy who arrived in the final strides to pip the favourite, Fitzhenry, and win by half a length.
Leopardstown – Friday’s results
- 12.05 - 1. Leagan Gaeilge (33/1) 2. Theatre of War (20/1) 3. Takarengo (9/2)
- 12.35 - 1. Melon (5/4f) 2. Gallant John Joe (16/1) 3. Chosen Mate (11/1)
- 13.10 - 1. A Plus Tard (4/1) 2. Chacun Pour Soi (8/15f) 3. Ordinary World (33/1)
- 13.45 - 1. Abacadabras (10/11f) 2. Heaven Help Us (25/1) 3. Embittered (5/1)
- 14.20 - 1. The Moyglass Flyer (4/1jf) 2. Daybreak Boy (33/1) 3. Golden Jewel (33/1) 4. Thatsy (7/1)
- 14.55 – 1. Roaring Bull (16/1) 2. Fitzhenry (6/1f) 3. Plan of Attack (16/1) 4. Poker Party (9/1)
- 15.30 - 1. Appreciate It (11/10f) 2. Freedom to Dream (8/1) 3. Mahler Allstar (14/1)
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