2016 Cheltenham Festival ante post plays: Minella has a Grand chance

David Metcalf | March 9, 2016

Minella Present has plenty going for him in Grand Annual

Minella Present looks potentially ahead of the assessor and decent value at 12/1 with Coral in the ante post betting for the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday, March 18th.

The Neil Mulholland trained gelding was a smart hurdle performer who has shown progressive form since being sent chasing.

Minella Present has had just five starts over the larger obstacles, winning once and finishing in the frame on the other four occasions.

After scoring in good style by five lengths at Fontwell, the seven-year-old ran very well when chasing home Violet Dancer at Towcester.

Towcester run represents strong form

Minella Present stayed on to be beaten just over three lengths, and it was a very solid effort trying to give 6lb to the winner, who went on to score three-times and be rated 147 before sadly having to be put down after suffering complications whilst recovering from an operation.

The son of Presenting backed that up with a career-best effort when runner-up to Keel Haul in a competitive 15-runner handicap at Cheltenham.

Minella Present got badly hampered three from home and denied a clear run approaching the last before powering up the hill to be beaten just a length.