What’s going wrong with Yorkhill?
Min romped up in the Coral Dublin Chase in Leopardstown on Saturday. The money came for Rich Ricci’s 7-year-old, who was backed into 5/4 favouritism just before the off in the Grade One 2m 1f chase.
David Mullins’ mount never put a foot wrong. He jumped like a stag from pillar to post, and settled in maturely to the break neck pace set by Henry De Bromhead’s Special Tiara.
The Kilkenny jockey tucked his horse in behind, and when push came to shove, he had the class and the speed to kick on and ended up winning with 7 or 8 lengths to spare.
“After I gave him a squeeze at the last, he really picked up,” said Mullins to RTÉ after the race.
“I couldn’t believe how fast he (Special Tiara) was going…I was just picking my moments, and I thought he’s come on a lot for that.
Min looks a hot ticket for the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with bookies immediately cutting his odds from 11/2 into 5/2 now.
This was a fine audition, and you can watch the finish here via At The Races.
No mistake – Min wins the Coral Dublin Chase! @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/UFC7Hd8SFf
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2018
Nowhere to be seen out the back of the field was Yorkhill, who was again off-kilter.
Willie Mullins’ 8-year-old has the talent, undoubtedly, but Graham Wiley’s horse has endured an abysmal season so far. He pulled up in the Christmas Chase here, but was expected to improve for the drop back down in trip today.
It was far from an improvement, and connections will surely be looking at a drop back down to hurdles, with Ted Walsh on RTÉ claiming he “jumped like a monkey.”
