Minella Indo-Frodon head-to-head in Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal
By Andrew Atkinson
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020 winner, Henry de Bromhead trained Minella Indo, goes head to head with King George winner Frodon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.
Minella Indo, tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info who landed the Gold Cup in March, returns for his first seasonal with Rachael Blackmore up, after trainer Gordon Elliott insisted Jack Kennedy rides Delta Work in the five runners’ field.
Paul Nichols trained Frodon, who won Kempton’s festive feature race in December, when ridden by Bryony Frost, are out to avenge a whopping 34 lengths defeat by Minella Indo in the Gold Cup.
Elliott’s trio of runners include Ravenhill and Galvin, the latter making a winning re-appearance in a Punchestown Grade 3 this month.
De Bromhead saddles seven years old Envoi Allen tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info on his seasonal debut in the Grade 2 Join Racing TV Chase (3.25) with Rachael Blackmore up in the 2 m 3½f race.
Ladbrokes Champion Chase G1 3 miles Down Royal runners and jockeys.
Delta Work Jack Kennedy
Frodon Bryony Frost
Galvin Davy Russell
Minella Indo Rachael Blackmore
Ravenhill Denis O’Regan
Betting: 5-6 Minella Indo, 3-1 Galvin, 9-2 Frodon, 8-1 Delta Work, 40-1 Ravenhill
Cyrname eyes Wetherby Charlie Hall Chase Grade 2
At WETHERBY on Saturday the Charlie Hall Chase (3.05) sees nine-year-old Cyrname go to post in the Grade 2 under top weight of 11st 6lbs.
Cyrname, pulled-up in both the King George and Ascot Chase following his two-length win at the Yorkshire track in 2020, is ridden by Harry Cobden and tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info.
Grade 1 winning Novice Chaser Shan Blue; Nicky Henderson trained Fusil Raffles and Scottish Grand National winner Mighty Thunder go to post.
Emma Lavelle trained Paisley Park (2.30) carries top weight of 11st 6lbs in the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle, ridden by Aidan Coleman, tipped to win.
Harry Fry saddles Our Surprise (3.40) tipped each-way with Daryl Jacob up in the bet365 Handicap Hurdle over 2m 3f.
Wetherby bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3.05) runners and riders
Cyrname Harry Cobden
Clondaw Castle Jonathan Burke
Mighty Thunder Derek Fox
Shan Blue Harry Skelton
Fusil Raffles Daryl Jacob
Kitty’s Light Jack Tudor
Top Ville Ben Thomas Dowson
DOWN ROYAL fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 1.05 Fils Dor. 1.40 Mighty Potter. 2.15 Light Brigade. 2.50 Minella Indo. 3.25 Envoi Allen. 4.00 Father Jed (ew). 4.35 American Mike.
WETHERBY fromthehorsesmouth.info selections: 1.20 Corran Cross (ew). 1.55 Miranda. 2.30 Paisley Park. 3.05 Cyrname. 3.40 Our Surprise (ew). 4.15 Tamar Bridge. 4.50 Quick Draw (ew).
