MINELLA INDO's jockey will not be Rachael Blackmore after Robbie Power was booked to ride in the Irish Gold Cup.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained nine-year-old is usually left to Blackmore, but power has been chosen for Saturday's Dublin Racing Festival event
The reason for this is because Blackmore will ride Cheltenham Gold Cup favorite A Plus Tard in the coming month.
Gold Cup contender A Plus Tard, with Rachael Blackmore up, on their way to winning the The Paddy's Rewards Club in Leopardstown in 2109Ahead of this weekend's Irish Gold Cup, Ruby Walsh said:
"I overlooked Minella Indo after this race last year and that proved me wrong because he was brilliant in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so I think Henry de Bromhead and Barry Maloney will be looking for encouraging signs that mightn't necessarily mean winning.
"I think if he can run a decent race and run into the money, they'll be fancying their chances going to Cheltenham in March.
"Whereas Frodon and Kemboy, who have poorer records at Cheltenham, will be looking at Saturday as their D-Day."
Walsh also had another favorite and it's Honeysuckle that was also ridden by Blackmore
“She’s an incredible mare. She’s the best horse in training, full stop. Some people say that she’s getting a seven pound allowance but that should be there, to allow mares to compete.
“She’s brilliant to watch, brilliant at racing.
“Her performance in this last year was outstanding. She just demolished the opposition. She was a joy to watch. I’m delighted this superstar is this side of the Irish Sea..
Honeysuckle will attempt to win her 14th race in succession and complete a hat-trick of wins in Sunday’s Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle.
Robbie Power has been booked to ride Minella Indo for Henry De Bromhead in Saturday's Irish Gold Cup ahead of regular pilot Rachael Blackmore as she'll be on Gold Cup favourite A Plus Tard in March! 🏆
Do you agree with this decision? pic.twitter.com/OVxjBoUMKd— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) February 3, 2022
