'They're Denman and Kauto in their style of racing' - Cup 1-2 to be kept apart

Henry de Bromhead has revealed he will keep his Gold Cup one-two Minella Indo and A Plus Tard separated for the remainder of the season as he outlined future plans for his stable stars.

Minella Indo, under Jack Kennedy, held off his Rachael Blackmore-ridden stablemate A Plus Tard by a length and a quarter to crown a fabulous week for De Bromhead as he became the first trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the same year.

'It hasn't sunk in yet' - De Bromhead still in wonderland after festival heroics

The Gold Cup winner will stay in Ireland, with the Punchestown Gold Cup on April 28 on his agenda, while A Plus Tard could make a swift return to British soil for a crack at Aintree’s Betway Bowl at the Grand National meeting next month.

"I haven’t spoken to Barry [Maloney, owner] about it but I think Punchestown would be great if Minella Indo seems good," De Bromhead said during an appearance on Racing TV's Luck On Sunday.

"That’s up to the Maloneys but we’ll discuss it, and it’s up to the horse as well. Minella Indo seemed pretty fresh and well yesterday, so I think we’ll strongly consider Punchestown."

A Plus Tard (right) has options in Britain going forwardCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Betfair Chase at Haydock was pinpointed as a target for A Plus Tard next season, and De Bromhead said: "A Plus Tard’s form is ridiculously better on left-handed tracks, so if he’s well we’re considering Aintree for the three-mile chase there. The race at Haydock [Betfair Chase] I think could be lovely for him in the autumn as well.

"It’s up to the owners at the end of the day, but when you’ve got two of them like that you’d love to keep them apart as much as you can, and the fact A Plus Tard is better on a left-handed track would play a part in that."

De Bromhead became the first trainer since Paul Nicholls with Kauto Star and Denman in 2009 to saddle a one-two in the Gold Cup, and he believes there are similarities between the pairs.

"They are horses like Denman and Kauto Star in terms of their style of racing," he said. "When Minella Indo won the Albert Bartlett he reminded me of Denman. I’m not saying they’re the same ability but they are similar types of horses, and I think both jockeys rode them brilliantly.

"I’m not sure we’ve seen the half of Minella Indo yet. The one fear with A Plus Tard was would he get the last two furlongs? He really did, in fairness, and wouldn't he have been a very impressive winner if Indo hadn't been there by beating a dual Gold Cup winner?"

Read more on Henry de Bromhead's fantastic festival:

Minella Indo leads home De Bromhead 1-2 as Irish dominate Gold Cup finish

Will Minella Indo retain his Gold Cup crown in 2022? Our experts have their say

How a dramatic Gold Cup unfolded at Cheltenham as the home team fail to fire

Wonder women! Rachael Blackmore makes history with stunning win on Honeysuckle

Follow your favourites with our amazing Horse Tracker feature. Add up to 1,000 horses to your stable, filter them and keep up to date with automatic email alerts. Join Members' Club Ultimate now and never miss a winner again!