GRAND DAY OUT...

Huge crowd cheers home victorious Soldier In Milan

- BY EAMON DOGGETT

SOLDIER In Milan ran out a thrilling winner of the Irish Grand National yesterday in front of a packed crowd of 18,753 at Fairyhouse.

Ridden by Donagh Meyler, trained by Emmet Mullins and owned by Paul Byrne, Soldier In Milan was roared home by a huge crowd before galloping clear to score in impressive fashion.

Showurappreciation looked in trouble at various stages during the race but produced a gallant effort to finish second for trainer Jonathan Sweeney, jockey Mark Walsh and owner JP McManus, while Gordon Elliott's The Enabler took third place.

In victory, Soldier In Milan claimed the biggest prize in Irish National Hunt racing, following in the footsteps of greats such as Arkle and Desert Orchid.

"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.