Soldier In Milan lands Irish Grand National for Emmet Mullins
Despite just four previous runs over fences Solider In Milan went off as favourite and romped home to a 16 length win in front of a delighted packed stand in Fairyhouse
Emmet Mullins landed the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse with Soldier In Milan
Owner/trainer duo Emmet Mullins and Paul Byrne proved once again that they one of the shrewdest working duos in the game as Soldier In Milan romped to victory in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Bank Holiday Monday.
Afterwards, the Leighlinbridge trainer said a plan was put in place after Solider In Milan beat King Rasko Grey in a Punchestown bumper last year and all came together.
He skipped a hurdles campaign to go straight over fences this year and had just four previous runs over the bigger obstacles but that didn’t hinder him at all.
“Leaving out the hurdle campaign I suppose was a risk but we always hoped he had the class to overcome the inexperience, and he was smart out of the gate and into gear. We think he could be a classy individual,” said Mullins.
In the end, jockey Donagh Meyler was under no pressure there were 16 lengths back to Showurappreciation, with Mark Walsh on board, in second place.
In the immediate aftermath of the race, Solider In Milan was priced up at 33/1 for next year’s Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and although his stunning display lit up Fairyhouse, Mullins feels there could be lot more to come from him.
“I told Paul everything is good, he’s happy, he’s healthy, he’s fit but I’ve seen him in better order, maybe coming up to the bumper last year. I was 100% happy last year going to Punchestown but maybe only 90-95% happy today. It proved to be very strong form, beating King Rascal Grey last year, so yeah, fingers crossed we can get him back 100% again some other day,” said Mullins, whose biggest win as a trainer before this race was with Noble Yeats in the Aintree Grand National in 2022.
