Gold Cup Winner 2021
Winner: Minella Indo
Betting Odds: 9/1
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Owner: Barry Maloney
The 93rd annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by WellChild, a charity that provides care for seriously ill children and young people in the United Kingdom founded in 1977. A historic race for Henry De Bromhead who would be the first trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase & Gold Cup in the same season. A going description of good to soft.
Win prize money of £263,765.62. A winning time of 6m 45.35s (fast by 4.65s).
This nine-year-old gelding, a son of Beat Hollow out of a four-time winning mare named Carrigreen Lily, cost just 24,000 (Euro) as a foal. Not bad for a horse that by the time he was aged 12 had earned over £800,000 in prize money. A horse who enjoyed a trip, the future would tell a placed effort in the Aintree Grand National (2024).
Minella Indo was made 13/8 favourite for his prelude to the Gold Cup when competing at Leopardstown for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup. He finished a disappointing 4th under Rachael Blackmore, some 6 3/4-lengths behind Kemboy. His jumping lacked sharpness and he was in trouble a long way from home.
Would this knock his hopes of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
19th March 2021 –
3:05 Cheltenham – WellChild Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
A field of 12 runners. Leading fancies included: Al Boum Photo 9/4f, A Plus Tard 100/30, Champs 13/2 & Minella Indo 9/1.
Willie Mullins’ twice-winning Al Boum Photo bidding to be the first triple Gold Cup winner since Best Mate.
The pace wasn’t solid but the time was fair.
Frodon (16/1) led early under Bryony Frost, with Kemboy (16/1) and Minella Indo (9/1) close up.
Minella Indo sat handy in fourth, while Nicky Henderson’s Champ (13/2), racing in the familiar silks of J.P.McManus jumped poorly and was pulled-up before the 7th fence. Santini had a terrible jump and would be pulled-up after the 12th.
2018 winner, Native River, held fifth place but had a number of scruffy jumps which put him slightly on the back foot. While Al Boum Photo travelled fair in sixth. A Plus Tard was given a quiet ride settled in mid division. Native River was given a couple of reminders from Richard Johnson as Colin Tizzard’s charge struggled for pace.
At 6 out Frodon put in an enormous jump.
At the fourth last, the pace quickened as a number of horses positioned themselves with a chance. Frodon was pressed by Minella Indo who looked to be going well. Al Boum Photo and A Plus Tard sitting handy just in behind.
Heading to the 3rd last, Frodon tried to hold on gallantly, almost headed by Minella Indo who looked to hold a big chance. A Plus Tard, moved up with menace. The De Bromhead pair moved on, while Al Boum Photo chased, as Frodon tired.
Minella Indo put in a bold jump two out looking the stronger horse. A Plus Tard rallied being rousted by Blackmore to draw closer at the last but a scruffy jump didn’t help matters. Although making ground on Minella Indo, Jack Kennedy stood tall in triumph as he passed the winning post 1 1/4-lengths clear of his stable mate, with a staying-on Al Boum Photo in third.
Jack Kennedy said: ‘I was there very soon on Minella Indo but I didn’t want to disappoint him. He carried me into it so I didn’t want to be taking him back. I landed over the last and he pricked his ears and he was pulling up, but it wasn’t out of tiredness. I heard Rachael [Blackmore] coming and he took off again. It’s unbelievable stuff.’