Plans for de Bromhead stars coming together nicely

Henry de Bromhead views the Ryanair Chase as a long term target this season for A Plus Tard but is still mulling over more immediate plans for the Cheltenham Festival winner.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned five-year-old was an impressive winner of the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase and made his return to action in the Fortria Chase at Navan recently — finishing second to Enda Bolger’s Ballyoisin.

“I was delighted with his first run,” said De Bromhead.

“He seems to be far superior on a left-handed track — I think he runs to 140 on a right-handed track and to 160 on a left-handed.

“I think he’ll improve plenty for the run. I think his trip is two-and-a-half or two-five — a Ryanair Chase-type trip.

“I’m struggling for options for him. The John Durkan would have been the obvious one, but I don’t think he’s as good right-handed. There’s a three-mile race at Aintree (Many Clouds Chase), which might be a bit far, and then you’ve the two-mile-one Grade One at Leopardstown at Christmas.

“If I can find a two-and-a-half-mile race on a left-handed track in the new year I might wait for that.”

High-class two miler Ornua looks set for a trip across the Irish Sea for the either the Tingle Creek at Sandown or the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

Should connections opt for the latter event over Christmas, he could be joined in the horsebox by esteemed stablemate Monalee — who may line up for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

De Bromhead was content with his comeback run when third behind Douvan in the Clonmel Oil Chase last week.

“We were giving 5lb to Douvan, and I don’t think two-and-a-half is our trip — I’m convinced he’s a three miler,” said the trainer.

“He is in the King George. After looking at the results over the weekend, is this year we want to be going for the King George? Probably not. But he’s in it, and we’re considering it.

“I think he’ll improve a lot for the run in Clonmel.”

Balko Des Flos has plenty to prove after disappointing at Thurles recently, but his trainer warned: “Don’t write him off — I’ve no doubt he’ll come back.”

Petit Mouchoir is being aimed at the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, while future plans for Sunday’s Troytown Chase hero Chris’s Dream are dependent on the handicapper’s reaction to his impressive display.

De Bromhead said: “The Thyestes might be interesting, but it depends what the handicapper is going to do.

“I’d say we’re planning for the end of January or early February, and try and get to the spring.”