'He's a different horse at Cheltenham' - Minella Indo camp keen on Gold Cup bid

He may be discounted by the market as a 40-1 outsider to regain his Gold Cup crown, but Minella Indo is fully entitled to have another crack at jump racing's premier prize, according to the Cheltenham specialist's owner Barry Maloney.

A Gold Cup that appeared to place more emphasis on speed than outright stamina last March is believed to have counted against the 2021 champion, who finished closer than any other rival to spectacular 15-length winner A Plus Tard at the 2022 festival.

Minella Indo looks set to fill the void left by Al Boum Photo at Tramore on New Year's Day as connections consider replicating the path to festival glory that was so often taken by Willie Mullins' now retired dual Gold Cup hero.