Former Gold Cup winning jockey Robbie Power believes one horse has been overlooked ahead of this year’s renewal at the Cheltenham Festival.
Power, who won the 2017 Gold Cup on the Jessica Harrington-trained Sizing John, was speaking to Belfast Live ahead of the BoyleSports Cheltenham Preview night in aid of SVP at the Bardic Theatre in Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.
Having retired from the saddle at the end of last season, Power is now Henry De Bromhead’s race planner and the Waterford trainer will aim both A Plus Tard and Minella Indo at next Friday’s Gold Cup.
Minella Indo won the race in 2021 and Power rode the horse in last year’s renewal when he finished second to his stablemate A Plus Tard under Rachael Blackmore.
While Galopin Des Champ is the hot favourite at 6/4 with Boylesports, Power believes both De Bromhead’s horses have live chances.
“I definitely think Minella Indo is the forgotten horse of the Gold Cup,” said Power.
“He won it two years ago and was second last year. He ran a cracker last year and beat everything bar A Plus Tard.
“I suppose with Galopin Des Champ in there at the top of the market, other horses have been forgotten about a little bit.
“A Plus Tard has great form around Cheltenham. His season has been geared towards Cheltenham.
“We saw Shishkin bounce back from a disappointing run, so there’s no reason why he can’t.
“His preparation has been going very well.”
Galopin Des Champ is unbeaten this season after his final fence fall when he had the Turners Novices’ Chase at his mercy at last year’s Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old will be stepping up to 3-mile, 2 furlongs in the Gold Cup. While Power feels stamina won’t be a concern for the favourite, he feels the reigning champion is still the horse to beat.
“I wouldn’t have any doubts about his stamina - Galopin Des Champ is much more relaxed this season,” added Power.
“He won over three miles over hurdles. Three and a quarter miles in the Gold Cup is a different task.
“The way he settled in the Irish Gold Cup, Paul Townend gave him a squeeze going down to the last and he took off. Stamina shouldn’t be an issue
“I still think if A Plus Tard turns up in the form he was in last year, he is the horse they all have to beat.”
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