Henry de Bromhead 'really encouraged' as Minella Indo makes triumphant return at Punchestown

Former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo returned with a Grade 3 success for the second consecutive season after putting in an exuberant jumping display in the Irish Daily Star-sponsored Chase at Punchestown under Rachael Blackmore

The race saw the return of three multiple Grade 1 winners in Minella Indo and the Gordon Elliott-trained pair Conflated and Delta Work. Henry de Bromhead's 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner raced with plenty of enthusiasm, taking charge of proceedings as the five-runner field passed the stands for the first time.

From there on, it was clear the ten-year-old was in a beautiful rhythm as he jumped flamboyantly while retaining pinpoint accuracy, best illustrated by a spring-heeled leap at the penultimate fence. Minella Indo shrugged off Conflated and Delta Work turning in and the race looked in safe keeping between the final two fences until 11-1 outsider Hurricane Georgie began to make stealthy headway on the outside.

However, Blackmore had a willing partner and he kept plenty in reserve to hold off the fast-finishing runner-up by a length and three-quarters, justifying 15-8 favouritism. Delta Work was a further 13 lengths behind in third, with Panda Boy and Conflated finishing fourth and fifth.

Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead debrief with Minella Indo's owner Barry MaloneyCredit: Patrick McCann

Minella Indo only saw a racecourse twice last season, winning at Tramore on New Year's Day before being pulled up behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, a race he memorably landed two years ago under Jack Kennedy. He finished a gallant second to stablemate A Plus Tard the following year. 

His trainer was suitably thrilled to see his dual Cheltenham Festival winner back in rude health.

De Bromhead said: "I’m delighted to see that. He’s brilliant, he's given us so many great days and it’s lovely to see him start off his season like that. He just really enjoyed himself and went from fence to fence. He had his ears pricked and Rachael said it was just a joy so I’m delighted.

"We’re going to enjoy today and we’ll see what we do next. He's entered in the Champion Chase at Down Royal but that’s only a few weeks away so we’ll decide over the next few days.

Connections celebrate with Minella IndoCredit: Patrick McCann

"The start was a mess in the Gold Cup and it just didn’t happen for him. Coming off the back of that run, we couldn’t make any big plans so we’re really encouraged by what we saw. It’s great to see him show such an appetite."

The Barry Maloney-owned chaser was introduced at 50-1 with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power to land next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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