RaceiQ: how Soldier In Milan routed his Irish National rivals

The 30-runner BOYLE Sports Irish Grand National was supposed to be one of the most competitive races of the whole Jumps season. Instead, it was turned into a one-horse exhibition with Soldier In Milan jumping and running his rivals ragged.

A flurry of market moves in the big race ended with all the late cash pouring on the Emmet Mullins-trained seven-year-old, and those who supported him down to 6-1 favourite did not have a moment of concern.

Never worse that fourth from the outset, he led about seven furlongs from home and then relentlessly turned the screw and came home 16 lengths clear.

Kiss Will might have given him something to think about had he not fallen three from home when in earnest pursuit, but we will never know. He had also jumped well up until this point, gaining almost 15 lengths, but was about to journey into unknown territory regards his stamina.

The RaceiQ data underlines the dominance of the winner’s faultless performance.

He made ground at all 24 fences, swiping a length or more at 15 of them. By the finish, his accumulative gain had been an astonishing 34.23 lengths.

His average entry speed at each fence was 28.11mph (second top) and exit speed 27.61mph (second top). His Speed Lost was just 2.75mph (best) and Recovery Time a rapid 0.41sec (top), plus he spent an average of only 4.95sec in the Jumping Envelope, 30 metres before and after each fence. That was also best of the bunch.

Soldier In Milan attacked the first at 33.36mph and was still winging along at 30.87mph approaching the last. In between, he got a 10/10 for his leap at the 21st fence.

The lightly raced novice, owned by Paul Byrne and ridden by Donagh Meyler, was having just his sixth race under Rules, having easily won his sole start in the point-to-point sphere about this time two years ago.

His connections didn’t bother running over hurdles after he won his only bumper, at Punchestown less than a year ago, when he brushed aside King Risko Grey. Willie Mullins believes that horse could be a Champion Hurdle contender next season after his win at Cheltenham last month.

How high can Soldier In Milan go after this display?

Paddy Power reacted by quoting him 33-1 for next season's Cheltenham Gold Cup. He made quite a statement here, but jumping’s Blue Riband would require plenty more.

He would certainly be of interest for the Randox Grand National at Aintree a year from now, albeit he will obviously be a lot higher in the weights after this demolition job.

Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus have triumphed at Aintree after first taking the honours at Fairyhouse.

He will give his connections something to dream about through the summer and beyond.