MIN bounced back to form and avenged his Christmas defeat as he won the Grade 2 Coral Dublin Chase at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins' seven-year-old was first past the post in a Grade 1 over the festive period, only to lose the race in the stewards' room to the reopposing Simply Ned.

However, he roared back to form with a clear-cut victory in the hands of David Mullins, after last year's Champion Chase victor Special Tiara 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.

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."

Patricks Park was delivered with a perfectly-timed run by Rachael Blackmore to win the Grade B Coral Sandyford Handicap Chase.

Formerly trained in Britain by Matt Shepherd, Patricks Park had his first start for Willie Mullins on New Year's Day and stepped up considerably on that sixth place over hurdles to lift this two-mile-one-furlong contest.

Three Stars appeared to have stolen a winning advantage coming to the final obstacle but a slight mistake allowed Patricks Park (6/1) to get on terms and he kicked away on the run-in. Tully East kept on for third, with Blast Of Koeman fourth.

Blackmore said: "Patricks Park was fantastic. It was great to get an opportunity to get to ride for Willie and I was delighted I could get the job done today.

"We went a hell of a gallop so he was a little on his head at the start, but his jumping kept him in it and he was fantastic in that sense."

Mullins said: "I'm delighted for Rachael and it's a fantastic prize to win. She got a really good tune out of the horse down the back. You could see from the stands, he was jumping out of her hands and she was just trying to keep out of trouble.

"She is a fantastic rider and is one of the hardest workers in the country. She rides out for me two or three days a week and then lots of other places, and is always on the go and gets results."

"He disappointed over hurdles the last day, but we came back a mile today. He might run at Cheltenham if he gets into one of the handicap chases."

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