CAN MINELLA GO ONE BETTER?
Cheltenham runner-up targets some home soil compensation
CHELTENHAM Gold Cup second Minella Indo will face eight rivals when he bids to go one better in a star-studded line-up for tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins will be responsible for five of the nine runners, including dual Ryanair winner Allaho, dual Gold Cup victor Al Boum Photo, King George winner Tornado Flyer and Kemboy, winner of this race in 2019.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Clan Des Obeaux, bidding to repeat last year’s win, will be the only British challenger while Gordon Elliott and Joseph O’brien will be represented by proven Grade 1 performers Galvin and Fakir D’oudairies respectively.
The full Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup field is: Al Boum Photo (Bryan Cooper), Allaho (Paul Townend), Clan Des Obeaux (Harry Cobden), Fakir D’oudairies (Mark Walsh), Galvin (Davy Russell), Janidil ( Jody Mcgarvey), Kemboy (Sean O’keeffe), Minella Indo (Robbie Power), Tornado Flyer (Danny Mullins). l HONEYSUCKLE, unbeaten in 15 races, is one of just seven acceptors for Friday’s Paddy Power Champion Hurdle and is set to renew rivalry with Nicky Henderson’s Epatante, who chased Henry de Bromhead’s star home at Cheltenham before scoring at Aintree.
The seven acceptors are: Adagio, Darasso, Saint Roi, Teahupoo, Echoes In Rain, Epatante and Honeysuckle. LFOUR Irish-trained colts, including a trio from Ballydoyle, remain on course for Saturday’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Aidan O’brien has left unbeaten Luxembourg, Point Lonsdale and Glounthaune in the classic at yesterday’s forfeit stage while Jim Bolger’s Boundless Ocean completes the Irish representation in a list of 19.
For Sunday’s Qipco 1,000 Guineas, O’brien has Tenebrism, Tuesday and Toy while three other Irish trainers could be represented – Ger Lyons has left Juncture in the race and Jessica Harrington will rely on Moyglare winner Discoveries.
Dermot Weld has yet to decide whether to run Leopardstown trial winner Homeless Songs in the Newmarket classic, or wait for the French 1,000 Guineas on May 5.