Robbie Power set to keep ride on defending champion Minella Indo in Gold Cup

Robbie Power is "highly likely" to keep the ride on Minella Indo in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, according to trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Stable jockey Rachael Blackmore put her faith in A Plus Tard in last year's Gold Cup and looks sure to do likewise this time around, with the runaway Betfair Chase winner 3-1 favourite with most firms and just 5-2 with bet365 for the Boodles-sponsored showpiece.

Jack Kennedy proved to be the most able of deputies on Minella Indo last year, but he was claimed by Gordon Elliott to ride Delta Work in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase and again in the Irish Gold Cup and, given his main employer is responsible for five of the 25 entries in the Gold Cup, he is likely to be required by the stable.

Minella Indo: 5-1 to retain his Gold Cup crown next monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Power teamed up with Minella Indo for the first time in the Irish Gold Cup, in which the nine-year-old bounced back to form with a much-improved effort to finish second to Conflated, and De Bromhead is happy for the partnership to continue.

The trainer said: "It's highly likely that Robbie will ride him. If Jack suddenly became available I suppose there would be a chance he could ride, but it looks like Robbie is in pole position. I thought Robbie got on really well with Indo at Leopardstown and I was thrilled with the way it went."

After disappointing in the King George at Christmas, Minella Indo looked more like himself at Leopardstown this month and is now no bigger than 5-1 to defend his crown.

De Bromhead added: "He's come out of the race at Leopardstown really well. He's actually in mighty form at home, I couldn't be any happier with him."

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 18)

bet365: 5-2 A Plus Tard, 7-2 Galvin, 5 Minella Indo, 7 Protektorat, 8 Al Boum Photo, 11 Torando Flyer, 12 Conflated, 16 bar

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