Min and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
"You could not ask for any more, and he's living up to all the chat about him," said Willie Mullins after his Min hardened as favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with another demonstration of his huge natural ability in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
Ruby Walsh had to let his very keen partner on about his business from the third. The 1/7 shot was closed down at the second last but that was only because his rider steadied things up.
Min went clear on the bridle approaching the last, and he stayed on strongly on the run-in for a not extended and impressive nine and a half length win over Attribution
"He does his best work at home on better ground, so to do that on this ground is a big plus," further reflected Mullins (earlier on the mark with Measureofmydreams .
"I don't know if he will run again before Cheltenham, probably not. He's a very easy ride at home but he seems to grow horns or wings on the race track. He took a hard hold today.
"I was very impressed that he could pull so hard early on, then Ruby gave him a breather, and when the other two came to him I said we'll see what's in the tank now. But he just eased right away."
Meanwhile Ruby Walsh remarked: "I steadied up going to the second last hoping to get a breath into him but they were on my tail quite quickly and I had to go again. He quickened up really impressively down to the last, pinged it, and won comfortably.
"He's going to learn as he goes along (to settle) but you don't want to get left behind at Cheltenham!
"He's raw and immature and he has a good bit of learning to do but he obviously has a lot of natural ability."
In ante-post news
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
7/4 (from 5/2) with Sky Bet
7/4 (from 11/4) with both BoyleSports and Betfair Sportsbook
13/8 (from 5/2) Paddy Power.
Betfair Sportsbook offer 33/1 (non-runner no bet) for the Champion Hurdle
(AM & EM)
