The Minack completed a treble for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh when winning the GL Events Owen Brown Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot.
The Minack continues Walsh/Nicholls domination
The Minack completed a treble for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh when winning the GL Events Owen Brown Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot.
The 11-4 joint-favourite needed to be squeezed along by Walsh on more than one occasion in order to keep tabs on Vino Griego who had slipped clear in front having adopted a change of tactics.
Turning into the straight, the jolly still had several lengths to make up on the leader whose awkward head-carriage gave hope to supporters of the horse in second and Vino Griego was brought to a standstill with a crunching mistake at the second last where the chasing Requin also departed.
Relentless Progress
Timmy Murphy tried to rally his mount in pursuit of The Minack and got a good leap out of his mount at the last but his partner didn't look keen to battle back as The Minack continued to grind out the ground relentlessly.
The winner had six lengths in hand of Vino Griego at the line who just held on to second by a half from the rallying Reve De Sivola who rattled home having lost his position before turning for home.
Walsh said: "It was a good call of Paul's to come here and not the Welsh National.
"I thought I was beat off the bend but Timmy's horse missed two out and I got to him.
"Apart from the last he jumped super and was quick at what he did."
Nicholls said: "I've been training him for the Welsh National, but the ground was so bad at the last meeting that we thought we would aim him here instead.
"He's a real stayer. I haven't really thought much further than this, but I suppose he could have an entry in the Grand National."
