Min smooth winner of Coral Dublin Chase at Leopardstown
Sky Bet cut Min to 3/1 for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase following a smooth win in the Coral Dublin Chase at Leopardstown.
Willie Mullins' seven-year-old was first past the post in a Grade One at this track over the festive period, only to lose the race in the stewards' room to the reopposing Simply Ned.
However, he roared back into form with a clear-cut victory in the hands of David Mullins, after last year's Champion Chase victor Special Tiara had made a bold bid from the front.
Special Tiara had upwards of 12 lengths in hand at one point, but was clearly coming to the end of his tether as Min reeled him in before jumping the final fence.
Ordinary World and Simply Ned tried to go with Min's challenge, but the 11/8 favourite was far too good, with Ordinary World crashing through the last to give up his place chances.
Simply Ned eventually pipped Special Tiara on the line for second, but Min's stable companion Yorkhill was bitterly disappointing.
Sky Bet's Michael Shinners said: "Min looked very good today. He jumped and travelled superbly and he looks a real challenger to Altior in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. We are now 3/1 from 4/1 and he is our clear second favourite behind Altior who remains even-money."
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David Mullins said: "Special Tiara went a right good gallop and it kept the race simple as there were a lot of horses there that could be free, but they settled going that gallop.
"He was too free here the last day and didn't quite get home and I had that in the back of my mind. After I gave him a squeeze after the last he really picked up and I had Ordinary World covered."
Min's owner Rich Ricci was delighted his runner had regained the winning thread.
He said: "It was great, it was relief and he looked better today than at Christmas. Everyone tells me he jumped well today. It puts him back on track for Cheltenham, and starts a big weekend here in Dublin for us."
Willie Mullins was also relieved to see Min back on song, but admitted plans for Yorkhill have been thrown back up in the air.
He said: "They went very fast and David elected to settle him (Min) in and it made a huge difference. We changed our tactics a bit and it worked well. I'd imagine the Champion Chase is where he will go now, and we don't have anything else in mind. I was very disappointed with Yorkhill and Paul (Townend) said he was never travelling.
"It's completely back to the drawing board with him. We'll see if anything shows up, but possibly the fast pace over jumps caused him to lose his jumping method down the back. He wasn't happy going at pace over fences."
Mullins also has another string to his potential Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase bow in Douvan, who has been sidelined since last year's Cheltenham Festival.
The trainer added: "Douvan is in good order and did some nice work during the week. Everything we are doing and asking him to do he is answering the questions properly, but we have a good bit to go yet."
Nicky Richards was not too disheartened by Simply Ned's second place, at a track where he boasts a fine record.
He said: "He doesn't let anyone down. He got another lovely ride from Mark (Walsh) and there's no reason not to come back here again soon, he enjoys running at Leopardstown."
Special Tiara was having his first run in Ireland for the best part of two years and Henry de Bromhead was thrilled with his effort.
He said: "He's run an awesome race on the going. At the bare two miles he's right there with them so we'll see Special Tiara at Cheltenham, touch wood."
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