Soldier In Milan
6th-Apr-2026
Soldier In Milan had the class to beat King Rasko Grey in a bumper at last year’s Punchestown Festival. He didn’t go over hurdles this season, he went straight over fences, and that course of action has reaped dividends. He was beaten a total of a half a length in a hot beginners’ chase at Gowran Park on Thyestes Chase day in January, when he led from early, and he stepped forward from that to win his beginners’ chase at Punchestown next time.
He made almost all the running that day, and he kept on well to see off the challenge of Kiss Will. He didn’t lead last time in the Grade 3 Pierce Moloney Chase at Thurles, he was held up before keeping on well. That was his fourth run over fences, so he is now qualified for the Irish National, and he could improve on that for the return to forward-going tactics.
The Irish National is a race in which it usually pays to be handy these days, four of the last five winners raced prominently from early, and Emmet Mullins’ horse will hopefully return to those tactics on Monday. He is only seven, and he has raced just four times over fences, so he has the potential to go well beyond the handicap rating of 142 off which he will race. He stays two miles and seven furlongs well and, out of a mare who is a three-parts sister to Grand National runner-up Oscar Time, there is every chance that he will see out the marathon trip.
SOLDIER IN MILAN WON (ADV 12/1, SP 6/1)
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