Gold Cup second Minella Rocco has luck on his side heading into Foxhunter

Jonjo O'Neill believes the combination of a drop in grade and a trouble-free run has helped spark a change in fortunes for the fragile but talented Minella Rocco, who has emerged as a leading contender for next month's St James's Place Foxhunter.

Minella Rocco already has a rich Cheltenham pedigree, having beaten Native River in the 2016 National Hunt Chase before finishing second to Sizing John in the following year's Gold Cup, and O'Neill is relishing another shot at festival glory with the JP McManus ten-year-old.

Minella Rocco (white cap) beats Native River at Cheltenham in 2016Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He's enjoyed going at a slower pace and is entitled to have a crack at the Foxhunter," said the trainer, who won the race in 2007 with Drombeag. "He's pretty frail – his wind catches him and he's had problems with his joints – but he's in grand form at the minute."

Following a successful hunter chase debut at Warwick last month, Minella Rocco won again at Wetherby ten days later when beating last year's Foxhunter winner Hazel Hill.

Watch: Foxhunter fancies Minella Rocco and Hazel Hill fight it out at Wetherby

"For an unlucky horse all his life, he's hit two lucky strokes this time," said O'Neill. "At Warwick, David Maxwell got cramp [rider of pulled-up joint favourite Bob And Co] and at Wetherby, something wasn't right with Hazel Hill."

Minella Rocco has joined Hazel Hill as Foxhunter favourite at 5-1 and 11-2 with some firms, although he is as big as 6-1 elsewhere.

O'Neill, who has hit a rich vein of form with seven winners from his last 13 runners, will mull over a festival bid for Friday's Bangor scorer Annie Mc.

Annie Mc: unbeaten over fencesCredit: Bryn Lennon

The Coral Champions Club-owned mare has won all three of her chase starts and will have entries in the Grade 1 Marsh Novices' Chase and Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase.

"We're pleased with the way she's going and she likes jumping, but we'll have to see how she gets on when we step her up a gear," said O'Neill.

"We'll make entries for her at Cheltenham and decide whether she goes there at all. She's done her job up to now and has got experience and there'll be some nice races for her in the spring."

If you are interested in this, you should read:

Watch: Minella Rocco finishes second in the 2017 Gold Cup

'I'll get Hazel Hill right for festival' - Rowley vows star hunter will be ready

Chris Hughes: from Love Island to a breakout role with ITV Racing

Chris Hughes Q&A: the Love Island star on his fears, heroes and a Festival dream

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