Gold Cup-winning jockey Sir AP McCoy believes Rachael Blackmore will have her work cut out to win the big race.
The reigning top rider at the meeting, Blackmore would be the first female in her profession to achieve the feat if A Plus Tard can cross the line in front. Henry De Bromhead's horse, second to stablemate Minella Indo last year, is Betfred's 11-4 favourite for the Festival highlight.
But McCoy, who won the race on Synchronised ten years ago, thinks Blackmore has a tricky job of timing her challenge just right. Speaking on ITV's Opening Show this morning, he said: "This is the big day in jump racing and everyone sets out trying to win the Gold Cup. You need lots of stamina to win the Gold Cup and I don't think A Plus Tard is that easy a ride.
"He followed Minella Indo around the bend and into the straight last year and wasn't able to get past him and he took it up at the last at Leopardstown and Galvin got past him.
"He's a very good traveller and a very pacey horse but staying is a little worry for him if he gets to the front too soon. Getting close to Minella Indo and getting past Minella Indo are two different things as we saw last year."
Blackmore has nominated current champion Minella Indo, ridden for the first time at Cheltenham by Robbie Power, as the main danger to her mount.
The 32-year-old retained her Champion Hurdle title on Honeysuckle during Tuesday's card – and won yesterday's Turners Novices' Chase when the leader Galopin Des Champs dramatically fell at the final fence.
She has two rides before taking the reins on A Plus Tard at 3.30. Blackmore, who landed her first Grade 1 win in 2019, has since added another 22 to her impressive record. A Gold Cup triumph would add to her 2021 Grand National success, when she teamed up with the JP McManus-owned Minella Times. Only a select band of jockeys have both of National Hunt racing's biggest prizes on their CV.
