Robbie Power has landed the plum ride aboard title-holder Minella Indo in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Jack Kennedy was on board the Henry de Bromhead trainee for his victory - from Rachael Blackmore-partnered stablemate A Plus Tard - in chasing’s blue riband event last spring.
But Kennedy, who rides Delta Work for Gordon Elliott in tomorrow’s Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, is set to be claimed by his boss for the March 18 highlight.
And, with Blackmore set to stick with A Plus Tard at Cheltenham, de Bromhead has turned to Power for his nine-year-old, pulled up in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.
The pair link up for the first time in public at Leopardstown tomorrow - eight runners have been declared for the €140,000 Irish Gold Cup - and the Co Waterford trainer said: “Jack is Gordon’s jockey.
“Obviously, Jack is tied up with Delta Work there on Saturday and it would look like Rachael would be leaning towards A Plus Tard.
“So we just thought, with a view to Cheltenham, to let Robbie sit up on him.”
Power has been troubled by injury in recent seasons, making his return from a fractured hip, sustained at Tramore in October, at Naas last Sunday.
The 40-year-old, who captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard Sizing John in 2017, partnered Minella Indo - Ladbrokes’ 7-1 third favourite to defend his crown - in a schooling session this week.
“Robbie’s a great rider," de Bromhead added.
“We’ve had plenty of luck with him and it’s a case of him riding on Saturday with an eye to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“Robbie comes and rides out for us a good bit, so he’s ridden him plenty of times.
“Minella Indo is pretty relaxed and Robbie’s a great horseman so hopefully they will gel and it will all work out.”
