Irish Grand National: Soldier in Milan dispatches rivals in Ferryhouse showpiece. Racing News

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

The Emmett Mullins-trained seven-year-old had run just five times under the headline rules in the Easter Monday feature, including a bumper success at the Punchestown Festival last spring followed by four runs this season.

Although he finished fourth as a hot favourite for a Grade Three Novice at Thurles last month, confidence remained high ahead of this acid test, as he was a well-backed 6-1 favourite when the tapes went up and raced at full speed under Donagh Miller.

Leaving the back straight last time after taking the lead from British raider Moonbag Genius, Soldier made his way from home to the third fence at Milan before a heavy fall from his closest pursuer and main market rival Kissville left him clear.

ShorePrecision and The Enabler did their best to close the gap, but neither could put the gloves on the hugely impressive winner, who passed the post 16 lengths in hand, seeing him quoted at 33-1 for next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with some bookmakers.

“It really hasn’t hit home yet. “I was jumping myself on the last lap; he was jumping and travelling, and everything was going so smoothly,” Mullins said.

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

“I warned Donagh to wait as long as he could if everything was going well. He did everything brilliantly; it was a brilliant ride.

“I think it was a risk to skip the hurdles campaign. We always hoped he had the class to overcome the inexperience.

“He was smart out of the gate and in gear.

He added: “He was fit and well. The funny thing is, I know he’s been a favourite, but I told Paul, ‘Everything is good; he’s happy, he’s healthy, he’s fit but I’ve seen him in better shape.’

“I was only 95 per cent. I was 100 percent happy to go for the bumper at Punchestown last year, and it proved to be a very strong form, beating King Rasco Grey.

“Fingers crossed we can get it back to 100 per cent again another day!

“It’s something special for a well-backed favourite to win the Irish National and he was given a fantastic reception here today. It’s both an honour and a privilege.

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

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

You hope the horse has the right mindset and the rider has the courage to come down early and get a good position.

“We thought we had a great individual and thankfully he has proven that.”

On a potential Gold Cup campaign, Mullins added: “He’s a great individual, but it’s been a way to enter Grand Nationals in the past.”

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

Energumene goes back years.

Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energoman proved the fire still burns with a resounding victory in the Underwriting Exchange Fairyhouse Chase.

The Willie Mullins-trained veteran claimed the two-mile chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023 and while he is now in the twilight of his career at 12, he clearly retains plenty of ability and enthusiasm for the sport.

Going over two and a half miles for the first time since November 2020, Energumene was a 9-4 chance in the hands of Paul Townend and the extra stamina test was clearly suited as he travelled strongly and was not hard pressed to score by six lengths from stablemate Blood Destiny, with Gordon Elliott’s F-13 finishing third in the favourite.

There was a tragic postscript to the Grade Two contest, in which Mullins’ third runner, St. Sam, was seriously injured when he fell three fences from home.

Of Energumene, the champion trainer said: “I don’t know what he’s doing at 12 but I’m going to get something out of him!

“I couldn’t believe how well he was going. You could see Paul absolutely tanking and the further he went, the better he got.

“I’m surprised he could put in a performance like that today. I’m also happy with Blood Destiny and very sorry for St. Sam and the connections.”

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

Mullins added: “I think he’ll be in at Punchestown and then we’ll assess the situation and see what Tony Bloom [the owner] wants to do.”

“Energumene stole the show today. To put in a performance like that at the age of 12 – he ran like a seven- or eight-year-old.”