'I'm delighted' - Power can't wait for Gold Cup as he keeps ride on Minella Indo

He has already won a Gold Cup but Robbie Power has described himself as delighted to have been handed the opportunity of adding another to his CV after trainer Henry de Bromhead confirmed the rider would retain his partnership with the reigning champion Minella Indo in the feature race at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jack Kennedy partnered Minella Indo to his Gold Cup triumph 12 months ago and the prospects of the Kerry native being reunited with De Bromhead's star stayer were raised on Thursday when his likely mount in the race, Conflated, was confirmed for the Ryanair by Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott.

However, De Bromhead revealed on Friday morning that Power, who partnered Minella Indo to finish second in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month, would keep the ride in next Friday's Gold Cup.

He said: "Robbie Power will ride Minella Indo in the Gold Cup. He schooled him last week and everything went great. Indo is in great form and we're really happy with him. All is good."

Power wrote his name into the history books when driving Sizing John to victory in the 2017 Gold Cup for Jessica Harrington, and the rider believes Minella Indo has "a massive chance" of defending his crown next week.

He said: "I'm delighted to be riding Minella Indo. He's the reigning champion and has a massive chance of defending his crown. I was delighted to get the call confirming I was on him.

"He has been there, done that and worn the t-shirt. He ran very well at Leopardstown, I was delighted with that run in the Irish Gold Cup, and hopefully he can build on that at his beloved Cheltenham and win another Gold Cup.

"It looks as though his run in the Irish Gold Cup was a better run this year than it was last season so he's going there in great form. I was down in Henry's last week and I jumped eight fences on him. He felt in fantastic form so there are a lot of positives about his chances."

Power will be bidding to kick-start his week by doing what no rider has done before by dishing out a beating to Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle and also revealed his excitement to take the mount aboard Saint Felicien in the Coral Cup for the same owners, Robcour.

He said: "I ride Teahupoo in the Champion Hurdle and I'm really looking forward to him. I was in Gordon's this morning and sat on him. He had his final breeze and he felt really, really well in himself.

"Saint Felicien is another I'm looking forward to. He runs in the Coral Cup, while Discordantly, who won last weekend at Leopardstown, has a chance in the Ultima. He was fifth in the race last year but arrives there in better form this time. Say Goodbye runs in the Mares' Hurdle and she'll be a nice ride to have as well."

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