Henry de Bromhead: Jack Kennedy to ride Minella Indo at Punchestown

Cheltenham supersub Jack Kennedy will maintain his partnership with Gold Cup winner Minella Indo in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup as in-form trainer Henry de Bromhead outlined his exceptional team for the season-ending festival next week.

Kennedy benefited from Rachael Blackmore's decision to partner A Plus Tard at the Cheltenham Festival and connections of Minella Indo have opted to maintain their partnership for the Grade 1 on April 28.

De Bromhead said: "Jack will ride the horse if he's available. He got a great tune out of him at Cheltenham and we're delighted for him."

Minella Indo bids to emulate Kicking King, War Of Attrition and Sizing John by winning the Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups.

Minella Endo: finished clear of stablemate A Plus Tard at the festivalCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The trainer added: "Minella Indo has been good since Cheltenham. He's so laid-back. We backed off him after the festival and he got a bit chubby so we had to start back with him again but he seems in great form. He was on the beach this morning and he loved that.

"He's tough and seems to have taken Cheltenham well. The one concern would be he's had quite a few runs this season. We said we'd keep him busy this season and this will be his sixth run, which concerns me slightly, but he seems to be in great form."

After an unprecedented run of big-race successes at Cheltenham and Aintree this season, including victory in the Grand National, De Bromhead plans to send a talented team to Punchestown next week.

'Envoi Allen seems in great form'

The trainer confirmed Envoi Allen is on course for a mouth-watering clash with Monkfish in the Dooley Insurance Novice Chase next Tuesday and that the seven-year-old, who was unbeaten in his first 11 starts, was none the worse for his fall in the Marsh Chase.

He said: "Envoi Allen seems in great form. He worked well the other day at the Curragh and we're happy with him. Obviously he was unfortunate at Cheltenham when he made a mistake.

"We have got to know him a bit better. He's more settled here. Even schooling him the other morning, he jumped really well, not that he ever did before Cheltenham, but he seems to be really good."

De Bromhead added: "Monkfish has been impressive all year but he was perhaps at his least impressive at Cheltenham. Prior to that he'd been unreal. We haven't confirmed who will ride Envoi Allen yet."

Rachael Blackmore is all smiles after winning the Champion Hurdle with HoneysuckleCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Honeysuckle will put her unbeaten record on the line in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle next Friday and she could be joined by stablemates Aspire Tower and Jason The Militant.

De Bromhead said: "Honeysuckle has come out of Cheltenham really well and we're excited about running her. Last year we didn't run her after she won the Mares' Hurdle and the year before we didn't go to Cheltenham so this is the first time we're running her back, but she seems very well and we’re happy with her.

"Aspire Tower is in great form and he will run. He's a hardy nut and we're pleased with him. Jason The Militant could run as well."

On future plans, and the prospects of Honeysuckle going over fences next season, he added: "That's something we'll have to discuss during the summer. She's so good over hurdles, you'd wonder could you visualise her going somewhere for a mares' beginners' chase.

"Every Sunday morning she reminds me how good she could be over fences because we always give her a jump. She goes into the indoor arena and starts popping away. She jumps really well in fairness."

Cheltenham Festival winners Telmesomethinggirl, Quilixios and Bob Olinger are also set to represent De Bromhead at Punchestown.

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