Soldier In Milan cruises to Irish National victory

Soldier In Milan belied his inexperience with a stunning victory in the Boyle Sports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

The Emmet Mullins-trained seven-year-old had run just five times under rules heading into the Easter Monday feature, a sequence incorporating a Punchestown Festival bumper success last spring followed by four runs over fences this season.

While he was beaten into fourth as a hot favourite for a Grade Three novice chase at Thurles last month, confidence was clearly high ahead of this acid test as he was a well supported 6-1 favourite as the tapes went up and he raced up with the pace throughout under Donagh Meyler.

After taking over the lead from British raider Monbeg Genius leaving the back straight for the final time, Soldier In Milan tanked his way to the third fence from home and the heavy fall of his nearest pursuer and chief market rival Kiss Will left him clear.

Showurappreciation and The Enabler did their best to bridge the gap, but neither were able to lay a glove on the hugely impressive winner, who passed the post with 16 lengths in hand, seeing him earn a quote of 33-1 for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with Paddy Power.

“It hasn’t really hit home yet. I was pinching myself jumping the last with a lap to go, he was jumping and travelling and everything was going very smoothly,” said Mullins.

“The biggest worry was bypassing the fourth last and hitting the front.

“I had warned Donagh that if everything is going right to wait as long as he can. He executed everything brilliantly, it was a brilliant ride.

“Leaving out a hurdle campaign was a risk, I suppose. We always hoped he had the class to overcome the inexperience.

“He was smart out the gate and into gear. Fingers crossed we think he could be a classy individual.”

He went on: “He was fit and well. Funnily enough, I know he went off favourite, but I told Paul ‘everything is good, he’s happy, he’s healthy, he’s fit but I’ve seen him in better order’.

“I was only 95 per cent. I was 100 per cent happy last year going for the bumper in Punchestown and that proved to be very strong form, beating King Rasko Grey.

“Fingers crossed we can get him back 100 per cent again some other day!

“A well-backed favourite winning an Irish National is something special and he was greatly received here today. It’s an honour and a privilege.

“It’s been the plan, there’s no hiding that fact, since the start of the season when we decided we were going over fences.

“We decided to keep low mileage and get the four runs he needed to qualify. It was well executed, I suppose. There are lots of plans that go awry but that was magic.

“You are hoping though the horse has got the mentality for it, the courage for that cavalry charge down to the first and to come out of it with a good position.

“We thought we had a classy individual and thankfully he’s proved it.”

Regarding a possible Gold Cup campaign Mullins added: “He’s a classy individual but this has been a route in the past to the Aintree Grand National as well.

“We won’t nail our colours to the mast just yet anyway.”