Minella Indo takes another step towards Gold Cup with Grade 2 stroll

Another flawless display of jumping from Minella Indo gave him a second victory of the season, as last season's RSA runner-up proved in a different league to three rivals in the Grade 2 Make Your Best Bet Chase at Navan.

Sent off at 2-11, victory was expected for Minella Indo and he did not face a stern test, with the gallop for much of the race a pedestrian one.

Brahma Bull was allowed to take the field along for the majority of the three-mile trip, with David Mullins sticking to the stands' side in the home straight while Rachael Blackmore charted a wider path on Minella Indo.

At three out Minella Indo went to the front, and quickly went clear when Blackmore let out some rein, with Brahma Bull quickly beaten. Third went to Ravenhill, while Dream Conti was pulled up after a circuit.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said on Racing TV: "It was great to see him do it so well. He looks a lot sharper this year and I'm delighted with the performance."

A sterner test will likely await Minella Indo for his next potential assignment, as De Bromhead added: "I think we'll aim for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown next."

Some bookmakers opted against taking any action in the ante-post market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Minella Indo left at 8-1 by Paddy Power and Betfair.

However, Coral clipped the seven-year-old to 7-1 (from 8), making him their joint second-favourite with Santini.

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