WILLIE MULLINS-TRAINED Min has cruised to victory in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

The 4/5 favourite, ridden by Ruby Walsh, claimed a facile win in the day’s feature race and a hat-trick of winners for the duo on the St Stephen’s Day card.

Main rival Identity Thief pulled up in the middle of the race, allowing Min to power clear of the chasing pack to beat Ordinary World by nine lengths.

Earlier in the day, Bapaume landed the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, coming in ahead of Joseph O’Brien-trained Landofhopeandglory.

The 13/8 shot showed good stamina in the closing stages to finish ahead of the JP McManus-owned horse, who recently defeated Bapaume in a Fairyhouse Grade Three race.

Ruby Walsh riding Bapaume on the way to winning The Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

In the opening race of the day, Walsh stormed to victory on Bunk Off Early to take the Horse and Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle.

The fine weather helped to attract a healthy crowd to the Dublin racecourse. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

There was also plenty of top action across the water in Kempton with Thistlecrack becoming the first novice to win the Grade 1 King George after an outstanding performance saw the Tom Scudamore-ridden horse finish in front of main challenger Cue Card.

Meanwhile, Barry Geraghty’s Yanworth proved too strong in the Christmas Hurdle, with the 5/4 favourite digging deep to surge past The New One

Finally, the 33/1 outsider Royal Vacation secured an unlikely triumph in the 32Red Kauto Star Novices’ Chase after Might Bite’s dramatically fell at the final fence.

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