Willie Mullins‘ Min became a Cheltenham Festival winner at the fourth time of asking when holding off Saint Calvados to claim Thursday‘s Ryanair Chase.
The nine-year-old has twice finished runner-up at the Prestbury Park extravaganza in 2016 and 2018 but finally got his day in the sun as Paul Townend produced a lead from the front ride to claim the Grade 1 contest.
Saint Calvados and Gavin Sheehan posed the most serious threat to Min heading up the hill and towards the finish line but couldn’t reel him in as they came up short by a neck.
Pre-race favourite A Plus Tard had to settle for third while last year’s Ryanair Chase winner Frodon trailed a long way behind having struggled to get into the race.
However, the day belonged to Min and Mullins was delighted to see him finally put together a strong race having been left disappointed by his efforts in the Champion Chase last year.
Mullins said: “He’s been a super horse for us and it’s great he’s had his day here.
“We used the wrong tactics on him in the Champion Chase last year and it didn’t work out. He likes to be up there, Paul let him do that and here he is again at the top table.
“I was very worried when Saint Calvados came up – we seem to be opening the door up the inside a lot this week! I did get very worried, but he threw a lovely leap at the last and put it to bed. He still had a little bit left in the tank.
“I’m wondering does he just get that trip, is that the extent of his stamina? I think he could come back to two miles, but this seems to be his optimum.”
