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Gold Cup hero has ‘really stepped forward’ since Down Royal.
Henry de Bromhead is expecting a much sharper Minella Indo when he lines up in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Monday.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup hero had to settle for third on his return to competitive action at Down Royal last month, in a race won by Frodon – last year's King George winner and part of a three-pronged attack on the big race by Paul Nicholls.
But De Bromhead is happy he has Minella Indo where he wants him.
Rachael Blackmore's mount will sport cheekpieces for the first time, and De Bromhead is expecting a bold bid.
He said: "He seems in good form, we're happy with him and we're hoping for a big run. He's really stepped forward from Down Royal.
"It (cheekpieces) is just to sharpen him a bit, he seems good in them at home so we'll just see if they'll help him."
The race last went to Ireland with the second of Kicking King's wins in 2005.
Furthering the challenge from across the Irish Sea on this occasion is the Willie Mullins-trained Asterion Forlonge, who has a point to prove after coming down when holding every chance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
However, the Mullins camp feel the step up in trip and the course at Kempton will suit the grey.
Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: "He was travelling very well when he came down, though it was a long way out. It's going to be his first try at three miles which we think will improve him.
"If he can look where he's putting his feet he will be involved in the finish, but the trip will help him."
The Mullins stable also have Tornado Flyer, who ran on from to finish a never-dangerous fifth in the John Durkan.
"He'll have come on for his first run and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some prize-money," Mullins added.
Second-season novice Chantry House is Nicky Henderson's first string as the Seven Barrows handler goes for a fourth King George win.
The seven-year-old faces a much more difficult task from his seasonal debut when he defeated sole rival The Big Breakaway at Sandown seven weeks ago.
"We've had some very good days in the King George, we've won it a few times and had some unlucky ones a few times," he said.
"To me it's the second most important Classic chase of the season. You are taking on Gold Cup winners and previous King George winners, the novices coming into this season we don't know. Sandown wasn't a great test, I'm not complaining about that, we've often used the Hennessy for second-season novices.
"But we rather felt that wasn't the place, and I didn't think Haydock was necessarily the place. The Sandown race has always been there, and it's designed purely for horses like him. Some will say it's unsatisfactory having only two runners and I'd agree with that, it was a pity. We could have done with half a dozen and something to give us a lead.
"I've little doubt he'll get the trip well round Kempton. We were at one stage thinking 'crikey, they'll go quick' and will he be quick enough. But that actually doesn't worry me, I'm sure he is."
Henderson is also keen on Mister Fisher, who was only beaten a neck by Frodon at Sandown in April.
"We've had some issues with Mister Fisher. Earlier in the year I was working him and it was uncharacteristically lacklustre," he said.
"We did it again a week later and he was no better. The vets came in and it took two minutes to find out he had a fibrillating heart, which is not a nice thing to happen, but we got it corrected relatively quickly – it took about three days.
"That necessitated two weeks box rest, so you put yourself back and then he had three weeks cantering again before he was ready to gallop.
"He's been back to the same gallop to where he was working before and the old Mister Fisher has come back. It's incredible – you wouldn't believe it was possible. He's a very, very good work horse.
"I've always wanted to try him over three miles and he must have good ground. He is very talented."
The Colin Tizzard-trained Lostintranslation returned to form with victory at Ascot last month and has a third try at the King George after being pulled up in two previous attempts.
"I'm happy with him, he's come out of Ascot really well. It's another step forward and however happy I am with him, and he was great at Ascot, he needs to take another step forward and back that up to be competitive in this," said Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father.
"He's showing all the signs at home that he has and that he will be competitive in this, but it's just nice to get him back.
"If he's anywhere near his best, like he is showing at home, then he'll be competitive.
"If he brings his A-game and gets a bit of luck in running, then hopefully he'll run a big race."