Minella Indo to chase more Grade One glory Henry de Bromhead was delighted with Minella Indo's seasonal reappearance in Gowran Park on Saturday and is eyeing Leopardstown over Christmas for the six-year-old gelding. Minella Indo was always prominent in Gowran but was no match for 3/10 favourite Laurina once she headed him after the third last. He finished eight lengths behind her over the two and a half mile trip. Former point-to-point winner Minella Indo was making his chasing debut having won a pair of Grade 1 novice hurdles, over three miles, at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last season. Henry de Bromhead said: “He jumped great but he’s a three-miler and we’ll go for the Grade 1 in Leopardstown at Christmas. “He might be the only horse (at that level) without a maiden hurdle or a beginners’ chase to his name but if we can keep landing Grade 1’s I won’t mind! “You don’t like to see you’re horses beaten but he was beaten by a very good mare probably over an inadequate trip. It turned into a bit of sprint but I loved the way he jumped all the way down the back. “Paloma Blue also jumped great at Gowran (when second to Getabird).”
