Tramore earmarked as starting point for Gold Cup hope Monty’s Star

Monty’s Star is set to make his seasonal reappearance at Tramore on New Year’s Day as trainer Henry de Bromhead plots a path to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old won a beginners’ chase at Punchestown last year before heading to the Cheltenham Festival for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

He found only odds-on favourite Fact To File too good that day as he was beaten three and three-quarter lengths into second by Willie Mullins’ charge, who is the current ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham showpiece in March.

Monty’s Star was again second to another live Gold Cup contender in Spillane’s Tower in the Grade One Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown when last seen.

De Bromhead will now point him at the Grade Three O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey New Year’s Day Chase the County Waterford circuit, as he puts together a schedule in preparation for Prestbury Park.

“We’re aiming Monty’s Star for the race,” De Bromhead said.

“He had a good season last season and we’ve decided to go for the Gold Cup with him, obviously his form is rock-solid.

“He’s going to aim to start there and possibly Minella Indo, we’ll see nearer the time.”

Monty’s Star also holds an entry in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown as De Bromhead keeps his options open, but he hopes he has take a step forward from last season.

Speaking to journalist Dave Keena, De Bromhead added: “Very much so, he was beaten in two Grade Ones. Fact To File beat him at Cheltenham and then Jimmy Mangan’s horse, Spillane’s Tower, beat him in Punchestown so his form is bang there.

“We’re hoping he’s improved and he seems well.”