MINELLA TIMES | The Grand National winner returns to Henry De Bromhead’s stable

Grand National winner Minella Times has returned to full training at Henry De Bromhead’s yard in recent weeks, alongside several stable starts that dominated the British jumps scene last season.

The eight-year-old made history at Aintree in April with jockey Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to claim success in the National Hunt showpiece event.

The gelding rounded off an incredible season for De Bromhead, who claimed £1.5million in prize money from eight wins on British soil.

The 48-year-old also became the first trainer in racing history to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season.

Several members of his 2020/21 dream team have returned to action in the last few weeks, including his superstar hurdler Honeysuckle.

Connections had decided to keep the unbeaten mare over the smaller obstacles this season, opting to go for a second Champion Hurdle instead of attempting to emulate the great Dawn Run and become the second racehorse to claim a Gold Cup-Champion Hurdle double.

Several Cheltenham Festival victors have returned to training with Gold Cup winner and runner-up Minella Indo & A Plus Tard and Champion Chase heroine Put The Kettle On all return to County Waterford following a summer break.

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle victor Bob Olinger, Triumph Hurdler winner Quilixios and Mares Novices’ Hurdle winner Telmesomethinggirl are all back on the gallops for De Bromhead as well.

Envoi Allen will run his first full season under the Irish trainer after being transferred from Gordon Elliot’s yard, while Jason The Militant could aim for the Champion Hurdle after missing out last season.