Min the magnificent as he freewheels to victory in Melling Chase

Min is already a multiple Grade 1 winner, but now he has top-level successes on both sides of the Irish Sea after a ruthless performance from the front led to a 20-length victory in the Melling Chase.

The eight-year-old would be forgiven for preferring to race closer to home, as his previous four visits to Britain had ended in defeat.

Three of those came at the Cheltenham Festival and at the hands of Altior but, with that rival staying at home, Min delivered a superbly unfettered display, dismantling his five opponents with a clinical mix of accurate jumping and strong galloping.

Last year Politologue beat Min by a neck in the race, but he had no answers on this occasion, with the stage now tantalisingly set for a tiebreaker in 2020.

"John Hales [Politologue's owner] said we're going to have the decider next year," joked Min's trainer Willie Mullins.

Rather than being held up behind horses, Min was allowed free reign of Aintree by Ruby Walsh, and sauntered around the course, clearly relishing the different approach.

Connections celebrate after Min's brilliant performanceCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Mullins added: "The change in tactics, letting him enjoy himself, worked. I always gave him a chance. He didn't have a hard race at Cheltenham, when he sulked when we didn't let him do what he wanted to do.

"I think he's back to himself and maybe that performance was a career-best."

Such is Min's versatility he earned quotes of 12-1 (from 25) for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while William Hill offered the same price for the Ryanair.

There could even be the possibility of a step up to three miles, and another potential encounter with Altior, as Mullins did not dismiss the idea of tackling next season's King George.

The victory was a timely tonic for owner Rich Ricci, who 24 hours earlier had witnessed another of his stars, Faugheen, being pulled up by Walsh, with the 2015 Champion Hurdle hero found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat.

"I saw Faugheen today and he was a little bit quiet in himself but he was fine," Ricci said.

The winner's enclosure has proved elusive for Ricci in Britain this season, with the powerful owner experiencing his first blank at the Cheltenham Festival since 2012.

But Ricci was not bemoaning his luck as he added: "I can't complain much, it's part of racing with the ups and downs. You take your knocks and move on."

There were also no complaints from Paul Nicholls, trainer of the runner-up Politologue.

He said: "Politologue's run a blinder, Min looked unbeatable today.

"I don't know if John wants to go again or not [this season], we'll see. He could go to Sandown. I'll have a talk with them and see and I wouldn't mind having a go at the Tingle Creek again next year."

However, the grey was reported to have bled from the nose post-race, which may affect future plans.

Third went to Waiting Patiently, whose season has been truncated by unsuitable ground and ill fortune, when unseating in the King George.

A switch in how the eight-year-old is ridden next season could be in the offing, as trainer Ruth Jefferson said: "It wasn't to be today. He's run all right, he got round and finished third. When he came to us he was quite a keen horse and he settles quite well now so we might change things next year. We could try him in amongst horses, and a change is sometimes necessary."

As Min so emphatically proved, a change in tack can prove very productive.

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