Henry de Bromhead pictured with Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
Henry de Bromhead is not one to blow his own trumpet and a verdict of ‘over the week we would have to be happy’ concerning his Knockeen yard’s performance at Cheltenham last month is certainly modest in view of a haul of two winners and a list of places in Grade 1 races.
“Tuesday was a great day with both the mares winning and Minella Indo, A Plus Tard and Monalee all ran well. There were a few disappointments as well but all in all over the week we would have to be happy,” said the County Waterford trainer.
De Bromhead’s father Harry enjoyed plenty of success with the likes of Grand Habit (Thyestes Chase), Bishops Hall (Kerry National) and Cheltenham Festival winner Fissure Seal and Henry has been sending out an ever increasing stream of winners since taking over the licence 20 years ago.
Sizing Europe was the one that really propelled him into the big time with the remarkable Alan and Ann Potts-owned gelding winning 22 races and close to €1.5m in prize-money.
His haul of nine Grade 1 races included the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2011, and de Bromhead landed that Festival showpiece again six years later with Special Tiara.
He struck twice at Prestbury Park last year with A Plus Tard and Minella Indo, and repeated the feat as Honeysuckle and Put The Kettle On both struck on a memorable opening day last month.
The unbeaten Honeysuckle went to Cheltenham with high hopes having previously landed the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown but Put The Kettle On came in under the radar as a 16/1 shot for the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase.
“We haven’t discussed plans for Honeysuckle yet. We have a long summer now so we will be able to give it plenty of thought,” he said of the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle winner.
“Put The Kettle On was brilliant. She had a summer campaign last year but we’ll be leaving her off now and bring her back in the autumn.
“She has earned a crack at the good two-mile chases now and there is also Mares races to think of. She seems to love Cheltenham which is great. She is a lovely mare and has loads of options.
“There was nothing obvious wrong with Notebook (5/2 favourite for the Arkle but finished last of the six finishers). He ran a similar race to Cash Back at Cheltenham and maybe that race they had at Leopardstown in February took more out of them than we thought.”
De Bromhead left Monalee fresh for the Magners Gold Cup following a promising second to Delta Work in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and the decision was vindicated as he was prominent throughout to finish fourth, beaten less than two lengths, behind Al Boum Photo.
“Monalee ran a blinder. We gave him a break after Christmas and he was in great form on the day. Things just didn’t quite fall his way at a few points in the race but he still ran really well.”
Minella Indo, A Plus Tard and Aspire Tower all did the yard proud when placed in their respective Grade 1 tests, while Captain Guinness was particularly unfortunate in the opening race of the meeting.
The lightly-raced five-year-old gelding had cruised into contention on the outer when brought down in a melee at the penultimate flight in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
“Captain Guinness was unlucky in the Supreme. The horse jumped into him and then fell in front of him. He looked to be going well and Rachael was happy with him at the time. It was just unfortunate but thankfully he’s fine.
“He’s schooled well and will go chasing next season.”
