Fabulous Big Race Double For Milan

The Paul Nicholls-trained McFabulous (6g Milan – Rossavon, by Beneficial) kicked off a big race double for Milan on Saturday when taking the Grade 3 Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton.

A Grade 2 bumper winner last season, the Giraffa Racing-owned bay was last seen winning over hurdles last month and was sent off favourite as a result. He raced prominently throughout under Harry Cobden and leapt into the lead at the second last, running on strongly to win by six and a half lengths.

The now five-time winner was bred by Vincent Finn, who sold the son of Milan for €88,000 as a store. He is a half-brother to two winners by Flemensfirth, most notably Grade 1 winning chaser Waiting Patiently.

Later that day at Navan, Jimmil (6g Milan – Garlucy, by Un Desperado) delighted connections with a valuable win in the Novice Handicap Chase worth €56,000. Terence Conroy’s homebred produced an improved round of jumping in the three mile chase, progressing to chase the leaders from three out and led approaching the final fence. Soon clear, he won by five and a half lengths under Conor Maxwell.

Speaking after the race, winning trainer Gavin Cromwell said, “That was great and it was a brilliant pot. His jumping is only starting to come. He asked him at one down the back and he jumped up into the clouds.”