'We've worked hard to sweeten him up' - Minella Times primed for Aintree return

Henry de Bromhead is confident the return to Aintree will rejuvenate Minella Times when he bids to follow up last year's success in the Randox Grand National under Rachael Blackmore.

The nine-year-old was part of history when Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National but has struggled for form this season, falling in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase in December before being pulled up at Leopardstown last time.

His trainer endured a similar dip in form this season but bounced back at Cheltenham when winning the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup for the second year in a row with Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard.

"It's been a bit frustrating," said De Bromhead. "He fell in the John Durkan, which was disappointing, and came back stiff and sore. We thought he was spot on for Leopardstown but he was pulled up.

"We found a couple of issues and have treated those. He worked nicely the other day and we believe we've got him back on song. He loved it last year and I'm hopeful Aintree will reignite him.

"He's coming back to himself and we've worked hard to sweeten him up. He's done a bit of cross-country and has been enjoying himself."

Minella Times: on course for Aintree this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Reflecting on last season's achievement, De Bromhead added: "It was brilliant to be involved. Minella Times was great on the day. To see our three runners going out on the second circuit was unreal.

"Chris's Dream unseated but to see Balko Des Flos and Minella Times in the first four with three to jump was unbelievable. I thought Burrows Saint and Patrick Mullins were going better than ours. It was some buzz and I started to get pretty excited halfway up the run-in."

Minella Times is around 16-1 to emulate Tiger Roll and Red Rum with consecutive Grand National wins and has been allocated 11st 9lb, having won off just 10st 3lb last time when beating Balko Des Flos.

He could be joined this year by stablemates Poker Party and Court Maid, who was bought this month with the National in mind. She was second behind Elimay for Thomas Mullins last month.

De Bromhead said: "We bought Court Maid the other day as I thought she had a really nice profile for the race. She's a high-class mare who could run well. She's already won over three and a half miles and ran incredibly well when runner-up behind Elimay in a mares' chase over two miles.

Former Kerry National winner Poker Party set for Aintree test next SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Poker Party won a Kerry National two years ago. He's had setbacks but he really enjoyed the Cross Country the other day before being pulled up as the ground went against him. Balko Des Flos similarly enjoyed running in the race last year and it's a great National prep."

De Bromhead will send a strong team to Aintree, including Notebook, Quilixios and Captain Guinness but confirmed Spyglass Hill is unlikely to take his place in the Grade 3 Randox Topham Chase next Friday.

The trainer also confirmed Bob Olinger was being treated for a torn muscle after his victory in the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and that the 2021 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, Put The Kettle On, would be sold as a broodmare at Aintree next Thursday.

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