Minella Indo will return to hurdles for the first time since 2019 as he continues his Grand National preparations at Navan on Sunday.
Now a 12-year-old, Minella Indo was a force in the novice staying hurdle division six years ago, winning Grade Ones at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals before going on to a sterling career over regulation fences.
Winner of the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Minella Indo has claimed victory just twice since, but he appeared reinvigorated by a switch to cross country fences and then the distinctive Grand National obstacles, finishing third behind I Am Maximus under a chunky weight.
Aintree remains the target for Henry de Bromhead’s charge and he will take in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Boyne Hurdle at Navan en route.
The trainer said: “He’s aiming for the Grand National and this might be a nice day out for him. He’s in good form.
“I think we’ll miss Cheltenham (Glenfarclas Chase) now it’s a handicap. It’s limited in fairness to them, but it’s quite close to Aintree this year and we’ve just said we’re going to focus on the National.
“I know the National is a handicap, but it’s obviously a different beast to the cross-country.”
Minella Indo is one of seven Boyne Hurdle contenders along with Farren Glory, Busselton, Maxxum, Meet And Greet, Thedevilscoachman and Riviere d’Etel.
De Bromhead also unveils an intriguing new recruit as Salt Bay lines up in the Navan Ford And Opel Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old was Group One placed on the Flat for Ralph Beckett and is as low as 20-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, although De Bromhead says that engagement is “a long way”.
He said: “It was great to get him and he’s been schooling well. Robbie (Power) had him for a month and got him jumping really well and enjoying it.
“We’ll see, it’s a long way for the Supreme Novices’, but it was easier to have him in than not.
“He seems nice and we’ve all seen him on the Flat – he’s a high-class horse. He jumps well at home, but obviously we have to tack all that together now and see where we end up.”