Death of Special Tiara casts shadow over Min's second success in Dublin Chase

Min ran out an easy winner of the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown for a second successive year.

A 12-length winner last term, his task was made a little easier before the race even started with the morning defection of Simply Ned.

That meant only five went to post, with 2017 Champion Chase hero Special Tiara pulled up in the early stages after suffering an injury. Sadly, the popular 12-year-old could not be saved.

Then when Castlegrace Paddy crashed out, only three remained, with Harry Whittington’s Saint Calvados in front.

Ruby Walsh was happy to sit some five lengths off him aboard the Willie Mullins-trained Min, but a series of big leaps saw him close the gap with Ordinary World also making progress.

With the last fence omitted because of low sun, Walsh nursed Min alongside the British challenger before kicking clear and the 4-9 favourite won by six lengths.

Ordinary World stayed on for second with Saint Calvados last of the trio.

Noel Fehily, who partnered Special Tiara to his Champion Chase win in 2017, told the Racing Post: "It's terribly sad for all involved with the horse, for the owner and trainer but also the lads in the yard and those who have spent so much time travelling over and back to England with him over the years.

"He was a great horse and gave me one of the highlights of my career the day he won the Champion Chase, and he was placed in two others. We also won a Celebration Chase together and he was unlucky not to win a Tingle Creek when he was bumped badly by Sire De Grugy after the final fence. I had some great days on him.

"When he was at his best, no horse could lead him to the first fence. He was very quick and a very good jumper, so he was a wonderful horse to ride. He ran some mighty races against all the best two-milers around at the time and was right up there with them."