Minella Indo returns to Down Royal today© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh off his memorable victory on Gentlemansgame in last weekend’s Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, jockey Darragh O’Keeffe has another chance to land a big race as teams up with Minella Indo in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal this afternoon. O’Keeffe is delighted to get the opportunity but is well aware of the difficulty of the task ahead.
The Barry Maloney-owned and Henry de Bromhead-trained 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, understandably has O'Keeffe looking forward with relish to his initial spin aboard the ten-year-old.
He said: "Yeah, look it's great, he's a very good horse you know, winner of a Gold Cup, was second in one.
"He looked great the last day in Punchestown - it was great to see him back.
"He's meeting Conflated and Gerri Colombe probably the new kid on the block coming up, and Envoi Allen
"He'll have to run to his mark but it's a great spin to get the call up for and I'm very appreciative for Henry and the owners to give me the leg up on him."
