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 some bookmakers.
"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 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 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."
Dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Energumene proved the fire still burns bright with an emphatic victory in the Underwriting Exchange Fairyhouse Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained veteran claimed the two-mile chasing crown at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 and 2023 and while he is now in the twilight of his career at the age of 12, he clearly retains plenty of ability and enthusiasm for the game.
Stepping up to 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 clearly suited as he travelled strongly throughout and was not hard pressed to score by six lengths from stablemate Blood Destiny, with Gordon Elliott's 13-8 favourite Found A Fifty well beaten in third.
There was a sad postscript to the Grade Two contest, with a third Mullins runner Saint Sam fatally injured after suffering a heavy fall three fences from home.
Of Energumene, the champion trainer said: "I don't know what he's on at 12 years of age but I'm going to get some of it!
"I couldn't believe how well he was going. You could see Paul just absolutely tanking and the further he was going the better he was liking it.
"I'm just amazed that he could put in such a performance today. I'm delighted with Blood Destiny too and very sorry for Saint Sam and connections."
Energumene has won at the Punchestown Festival three times and a return to County Kildare looks to be on the agenda before a decision is made on whether he will race on next season.
Mullins added: "I think he'll have an entry in Punchestown and then we'll review the situation and see what Tony Bloom [owner] wants to do.
"Energumene stole the show today. At 12 years of age to put in a performance like that - he ran like a seven or eight-year-old."
