Irish Grand National: Soldier and Milan send their competitors to the Fairyhouse show

The Milan veteran 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 the rules heading into Easter Monday’s feature, a streak that included a major win at the Punchestown Festival last year followed by four furlongs over fences this season.

Although he was beaten fourth as hot favorite for the Grade Three chase at Thurles last month, confidence was clearly high ahead of this acid test as he was a well-backed 6-1 favorite when the tapes went up and raced through Donagh Meyler.

After taking the lead from British striker Monbeg Genius on the back straight in the final stretch, the Milanese went to the fence third from home and a sharp fall from his nearest rival Kiss Will left him in the clear.

Showuraciation and The Enabler did their best to close the gap, but couldn’t lay a glove on the impressive winner, who went over the saddle by 16 lengths in hand, seeing him fetch a 33-1 quote for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with some bookmakers.

“It didn’t quite hit home yet. I was just kicking myself on the last lap to go, he was jumping and going and everything was going really well,” Mullins said.

“The main concern is to get past the last four and hit the front.

“I had warned Donagh that if everything went well to wait as long as he could. He did everything brilliantly, it was a good trip.

I think abandoning the obstructionist campaign was dangerous.

“He was brilliant out of the gate and got into gear. Fingers crossed we thought he could be a standout.”

He continued: “He was fine and healthy. It’s good enough, I know he left in love, but I told Paul “everything is good, he’s happy, he’s healthy, he’s fit but I saw him well ‘.

“I was only 95 per cent. I was 100 per cent happy last year when I went to Punchestown and that proved to be a very strong form, when I beat King Rasko Gray.

“Fingers crossed we can get him back 100% again one day!

“A well-supported fan to win a National is something special and he’s been well received here today. It’s an honor and a privilege.

“It’s been a plan, there’s no hiding it, since the start of the season when we decided to jump the fence.

“We decided to keep the ground low and get the four runs he needed to qualify. I think it was well executed. There are a lot of plans that go wrong but that was magic.

“You hope that even if the horse has the sense for it, the courage of those riders to go down to the front and get out of it in good shape.

“We thought we had someone of quality and luckily he proved it.”

Regarding a possible Gold Cup campaign Mullins added:- “I’m a top-level person but this has been a road in the past to go to the Aintree Grand National again.

However, we cannot pin our colors to a hole.

Energumene started years ago

Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase filly Energumene proved the fire is still burning with a strong victory in the Underwriting Exchange Fairyhouse Chase.

The Willie Mullins-trained champion has taken the two-mile chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023 and while still in the prime of his career as a 12-year-old, he clearly has plenty of ability and passion for the sport.

Up to two and a half miles for the first time since November 2020, Energumene was a 9-4 advantage in the hands of Paul Townend and the extra test of strength was well-deserved as he moved strongly throughout and was unopposed to score by six lengths from the steady Blood Destiny, with Gordon Elliott’s 13-8 favorite Found A Fifty three.

There was a heartbreaking note to the Grade Two contest, with Mullins’ third runner, Saint Sam, seriously injured after falling three fences from home.

Regarding Energumene, the champion’s trainer said: “I don’t know what he’s doing at 12 years old but I’ll get some of it!

“I couldn’t believe how well he was going. You could see Paul was absolutely furious and he was going more than he liked.

“I’m just surprised that you would put in such a move today. I’m happy with Blood Destiny as well and I’m so sorry for Saint Sam and relations.”

Energumene has won the Punchestown Festival three times and a return to County Kildare appears to be on the agenda before a decision is made on whether he will run next season.

Mullins added: “I think he will go into Punchestown, then we will assess the situation and see if Tony Bloom [owner] want to do.

“Energumene stole the show today. He was 12 years old to put in such a performance – he ran like a seven or eight year old.”