Soldier In Milan romps away with Irish National Emmet Mullins enjoyed further National success as the Paul Byrne owned Soldier In Milan ran out an impressive winner of the BOYLE Sports Irish Grand National Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) at Fairyhouse. Having just his sixth start under Rules, the former point-to-point winner was well positioned throughout under Donagh Meyler. Leading four fences from home, the 6/1f was briefly threatened by Kiss Will early in the straight but with the latter exiting at that fence, that paved the way for Soldier In Milan to coast to a facile 16 length success. Donagh Meyler said: "He travelled everywhere, travelled too well. Jumped so sweet throughout. He is a class horse. "Class trainer, class owner. Just so lucky to be involved with these people. Obviously the stable staff in Emmet's are second to none. They are there day in, day out and, hats off to them." Mullins added: “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. “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 cross we think he could be a classy individual. “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 percent. I was 100 percent 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 percent 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 possy. “We thought we had a classy individual and thankfully he’s proved it.” The winner was getting Gold Cup quotes and 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.” Paddy Power went 33/1 Soldier In Milan for the Gold Cup. Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
