Milan blows away opposition

A wind operation looks to have made a big difference to Prince Of Milan judged by a stylish victory in the two and a half miles Munster Beginners Chase.

The easy to back 11/1 shot, whose only previous success came in a Belclare point-to-point over two years ago, jumped to the front two out and another fine leap at the last under Mick Darcy sealed the issue.

The six-year-old Milan gelding stretched clear on the run-in to beat Twelfth Of Never (12/1) by a convincing four and a half lengths, with Portrait King (11/2) another three quarters of a length away in third. Souvenir Royal was sent off the well-backed 2/1 favourite but didn't get any further than the first where Ruby Walsh was unseated.

Winning trainer Andy Slattery said, “That was a long time coming as we thought he was a good horse early in his career. He's had a wind operation since his last run, and won a schooling bumper recently at Tipperary by ten lengths.

“He jumps well and hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him. He could go back over hurdles as well.”